Spencer Richard Smith, 83, of Norwood, passed away Thursday morning, September 15, 2011 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Norwood. Rev. Nathan Fox will officiate and interment will follow in Harward's Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Saturday evening at
Edwards Funeral Home.
Mr. Smith was born May 9, 1928, to the late Lawrence Matthew and Cornelia Ellen Carpenter Smith. He was a 1946 graduate of
Norwood High School and a 1955 graduate of High Point College. He served his country in the Korean Conflict of WWII, having received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, Gold Star, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge 1st award, United Nations Service Medal and Marksman Badge & Carbine Bar. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 6183 and Stanly County DAV. He was a retired school teacher, having taught in Rock Springs, Denver, NC, Star, Badin, Oakboro, Bethel, Millingport and Anson High School. His love for his students and athletics was very evident in his coaching of girls and boys basketball and baseball. In his long career of teaching and coaching he produced many championship teams. He was of the Primitive Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Lenox, James and Robert Smith and one sister, Mary Kate Bowers.
He is survived by two brothers, Melville Smith of Norwood and Lawrence Smith of Oakboro, one sister, Ann Smith Luther of Norwood. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
The family requests memorials be made to: VFW Post 6183, P. O. Box 472, Norwood, NC 28128
