Cecil Wilson (Smitty) Smith

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 2:00 for Cecil Wilson (Smitty) Smith, 96, who passed away at Meadowood Retirement Village on December 18, 2016. The service will be held in the chapel at Collier Butler Funeral Home. Pastor Randy Gunter; Meadowbrook Baptist Church will be officiating.

Mr. Smith was born on July 2, 1920 in Georgiana, Alabama. After graduation from McKenzie High School, he entered military service in August of 1940. He served in the Air Force and was stationed at Eglin AFB, near Fort Walton Beach, Florida during his entire state-side duty. His overseas bases included: Alaska (prior to becoming a state), Japan, Korea and France and he retired in October, 1960. During his long and honorable service, Mr. Smith earned the following military awards and decorations: Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon. He always exhibited pride about the duties and missions accomplished while in the military.

Mr. Smith was a long-standing member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, FL where he resided for 62 years. He lived in Crestview, Florida for a brief period of time, made many friends and was a member of Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church. He moved to Gadsden in 2009 and attended Meadowbrook Baptist Church.

He enjoyed several hobbies including grafting plants and was successful with creating varied types of Camellias and Azaleas. He enjoyed music and during his younger days played the guitar and other instruments. He enjoyed traveling and spent years after retirement traveling with his wife of 70 years. He was a true “giver” and always advocated for the less fortunate including missions and the homeless.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Mae Hawkins; Mother, Carmie Ellen Smith; Father, James Willis Smith; sisters, Melba Jean Smith, and Jimmie Sue Smith Carpenter.

He is survived by two daughters and one son: Charlotte Smith Campbell (Don), Gadsden; James W. Smith (Jean), Colorado Springs, Co; Janice Smith Burnsed (Bruce), Mary Esther, FL, and sister, Evelyn Smith Crider, Milton, FL. He has six grandchildren: Jamye Marie Reyna Ingram (Glenn), Gadsden; Carmi Shane Reyna Callans, (Billy) Birmingham, AL; Casey Ann Burnsed, Destin, FL; Sarah Joy Smith Hirleman (Mark), Colorado Springs, Co; Rachel Ann Smith Schlabs (Dan), Colorado Springs, Co, and Bruce Paul Burnsed,Jr, Mary Esther, FL. He has 4 great grandchildren: Kinsey Merrick Callans and Cole Parker Callans, Birmingham, AL; Jalyn Taylor Ingram, Gadsden and Hope Tenacity Hirleman, Colorado Springs, Co., sisters-in-law Mildred Hawkins, La Place, Louisiana and Jewel Hawkins, Pensacola, FL and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be: Bruce Paul Burnsed, Billy Callans, Don Campbell, Glenn Ingram, James Smith, and Karl Strain.

The family would like to thank Christy Alexander and her staff for their assistance in caring for our father/grandfather. A special thanks to Debra Brown; the staff at Meadowood Retirement Village; the staff at Gadsden City Pharmacy, and Gentiva Hospice.

The Family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 prior to the funeral on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. Online condolences may be made at www.collierbutler.com

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Research