Obituary: George James Smith, Jr.

George James Smith, Jr. left his earthly home on Saturday, September 7, 2024, surrounded by his family. George, Jr. was born on June 7, 1941, to George James Smith, Sr. and Mary Alice Skinner Smith.

George Jr. took over the family business and developed Smith and Barrow with his brother-in-law, Dee Barrow. Their business grew to include a tire shop and Smith’s Café. George Jr. never lost his love of being at the café and conversing with all the customers at Table One.

George Jr. was a life-long member of Wheat Swamp Christian Church. He was the first fire chief of North Lenoir Volunteer Fire Department, serving from 1965 to 1985. He was a charter member until his death. He was a member of Richard Caswell Lodge #705 and a Shriner. He had a passion for golf and was blessed to spend many days on the fairways of Falling Creek Golf Course. After retirement, he enjoyed spending his summers trucking tobacco for Everette Farms.

George Jr. was preceded in death by his first wife of 58 years, Gail W. Smith and their daughter, Claudia Faye Smith; parents, George James Smith, Sr. and Mary Alice Skinner Smith; special aunt, Martha Elizabeth (Sissy) Skinner; step-mother, Lucy Smith; sisters, Mable Hill, Mary Helen Holland, Elsie Rouse and Maezell Cauley; brothers, Willie J. Smith, Dee B. Smith, Edward T. Smith and Ray H. Smith and step-sister, Marilyn Moore.

George Jr. is survived by his wife, Martha B. Smith; son, George James Smith III (G3); daughters Mary Smith and Norma Smith; step-daughter, Anne Marie Bartlett and husband, Frank; granddaughter, Virginia (Jenna) Grace Smith Dozier and husband, Tripp; step-granddaughter, Holly Capps; sister, Thelma Barrow; brother, Johnny Smith and wife, Maxine; sister-in-law, Carole King; brothers-in-law, David R. Cauley and Gary E. Rouse along with numerous special nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Howard-Carter Funeral Home Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Wheat Swamp Christian Church at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, with burial to be held at the family cemetery located behind North Lenoir Volunteer Fire Department on Highway 258N on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, George Jr. requested that memorials be made to Wheat Swamp Chrisian Church, 3732 Wheat Swamp Road, LaGrange, NC 28551 or North Lenoir Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 5042, Kinston, NC 28502.