Joseph Michael Smith

The family moved from Robeson County to Cary, and Mike became a standout on the Cary High School basketball team. He took his basketball skills to the University of Virginia, where he played and met Carol Lynn Smith. Mike and Carol were married for 46 years until her passing. Coming back to the Triangle area,

Mike completed a Masters and a Juris Doctor at the University of North Carolina. Mike’s career included working for the North Carolina Bureau of Indian Affairs, practicing Law, and working in the family’s hospitality business. He was an active member of the Cary Lions Club and had passions for philosophy, music, and college basketball. Even more, Mike was a proud father and grandfather.

Mike is predeceased by his parents and his wife Carol.

He is survived by his sister Paulette (Pat) Sweeney (Patrick), sons Walter (Julie) and Alex, daughter Lynn Johnson (Jerome), grandsons Carter, Austin, and Jacob Johnson, grandson Aspen Kincaid (Maria), granddaughters Josie and Violet Smith, and his longtime companion and caregiver Dawn McLean.

A receiving of friends and family for Mike will be held Friday, November 15, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 3:50 PM at the Brown Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. The funeral service will follow at Brown Wynne at 4:00 PM.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Cary Lions Club (carylionsclub.org).