Edward S. Smith

Ed was born on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1925 in Samson County, NC, the son of the late Lucy Catherine Pearson and Fred Hargett Smith, Sr. He was predeceased by many family members including his brother, Col. Fred H. Smith, Jr. and a grandson, Johnny Smith MacIvergan Duggins. Also remembered with love are his late mother and father-in-law, Theora M. Heckart and Carres M. Lockard of Weston, WV, who treated him like a son.

His beloved wife of 67 years, R. Elnora Lockard Smith, is left to honor his memory, as well as his children, Johnny M. Smith and wife, Ruth of Burgaw, NC, and Jeanne Smith Rieman and husband, Larry of Wilmington. Also, grandchildren, Sean Smith Rieman and wife, Candy of Vermont, Kim Smith Oyler and husband, David of Burgaw, Sarah Rieman Braten and husband, Michael of Cary, NC, Bradley L. Rieman, and Allison B. Rieman of Wilmington; and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by a loving sister, Catherine S. Mitchell and husband, Terry of Kelly, NC; a sister-in-law, Nell Smith of Wilmington; a special brother-in-law, Roy G. Lockard and wife, Janet of Weston, WV; a special Aunt, Dolly Pearson of Wilmington; a special niece, Judy Welborn of Leland, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A few of the childhood stories Ed loved to tell were about growing up in Wilmington, going to Wrightsville Beach on the trolley, swimming at the YMCA(3rd and Market), the Smith Family from Onslow Co., and spending weeks in the summer with his cousins at his Granddad Pearson’s helping in tobacco in Sampson Co. A proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during WWII(which was also the subject of many stories), he met Elnora in Washington D.C. and they were married, spending the first years in WV and then settling in Wilmington in 1959. The call of the ocean and the salt air brought him back home, Ed was self-employed and successful as a Painting Contractor retiring in 1987 after years of residential, new construction, and industrial work. His hard work ethic and honesty were passed on to his children. In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking, reading, history, refinishing furniture, woodworking, boating, and hosting fish fries and oyster roasts in which he prided himself making his renowned “Ed’s Hushpuppies”. He never met a stranger. He loved music and had a smile on his face and was proud of his wife, his children and family, and the loving home he and Elnora built over the course of their 67 years! His laughter and sense of humor will be greatly missed! He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, provider, grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin, and friend.

Ed was a faithful and long-standing member (52 years) of Winter Park Presbyterian Church. He served as a Deacon and voluntarily helped with many maintenance projects through the years.

The family will receive friends at a reception in Chadbourn Hall after the service to be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Winter Park Presbyterian Church with Rev. Matt Highfill officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www. coblewardsmithwilmington.com

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to friends, church members, and family members for their loving support and prayers during this time. Special thanks go out to Rev. Emile Harley and Ed Beck for their gift of music. Also, many thanks go out to the caregivers at Liberty Commons and to the Hospice doctors, nurses, volunteers, and chaplains who gave their wonderful care at home and at the Care Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 4501 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403 or to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

The staff at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Edward Sloan Smith