Harold Wayne Smith

Harold Wayne Smith, 63, died on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at his home after a four year battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, 2:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel. Burial will follow at Guilford Memorial Park.

Harold was born on July 20, 1946 in Greensboro, NC, the son of Joseph Harold and Florence Smith of Climax, NC. He graduated from Southeast Guilford High School in 1964 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970. Wayne worked for Franklin Drug Store in Greensboro until 1975. Then he bought and ran Merritt Drive Drug Store also in Greensboro from 1975 until 1997 when he sold it to Foster Drugs. From 1977 until 1980, Wayne worked for several pharmacies in the Greensboro area such as Buchanan’s Drug, Gate City Pharmacy and Hillsdale Park Drug. In 1980, he opened and ran Drug Rite Pharmacy in Climax, NC until 1995 when he sold it to Revco/CVS where he continued to work until his illness forced him to retire in 2007. Wayne was extremely dedicated to his profession and gave each customer one on one undivided attention. He loved getting to know his customers and talking to them about their families, hobbies or other interests. He had many customers who would follow him no matter where he worked.

Wayne loved hunting, fishing, golfing, sports and farming, especially goats, pigs, turkeys, emus, chickens, guineas and peacocks. He loved going to the mountains, especially Cherokee and the beach with his family. Wayne played baseball and football growing up and in high school, so he thoroughly enjoyed watching his two sons and two grandsons play the sports as well.

Wayne is survived by his parents, Joseph Harold and Florence Smith of Climax, NC; his wife of 25 years, Karen Thompson Smith; son, Shannon (Robyon) of Pleasant Garden, NC, son Josef of the home; grandsons, Caleb and Carson; mother-in-law Pauline Thompson; sisters-in-law, Kay Freeman (Jimmy), Kathy Jones (Butch), Kimberly Moser (Ralph). He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom were very dear to him.

The family would like to thank all of Wayne’s high school classmates for their loving support and all of the memorable “get togethers” the past few years.

The family also wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staffs at Wesley Long Regional Cancer Center, the Alliance Urology, Guilford Neurologic, Randolph Medical and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.

The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel.