Webster M. Smith

Webster Manuel Smith, 84, of 874 Powell Bridge Road, Harmony, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville surrounded by love of family. He had been in declining health but seriously ill for only 3 weeks.

He was born on April 9, 1927, in Iredell County and was the son of the late Manuel and Verlie Lou Shaw Smith. He married the love of his life, Margaret Swisher Smith, on April 9, 1966 after a 30-day courtship. They were married for 43 years until her death on June 10, 2009.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, H.S. Smith, his best friend with whom he worked daily for all his life; a sister, Betty Lou Smith; and a brother-in-law, Richard Ross.

Webster was an active and life long member of Rock Spring Baptist Church. He enjoyed a farming business he shared with his wife and brother. For many years, he also did tree trimming, wood cutting, timber and pulpwood work. He was proud to be “one of the best tree men in these parts” and loved the challenge that no one else wanted.

He loved the daily activities of farm life; seeing the seeds of his labor grow; working with family and neighbors, and sitting down to a meal together after hard work. He could be heard singing loudly and joyously, above the roar of his tractor, up and down the road or across the next hill, as he worked at what he loved. He enjoyed the labor of working; whether in the fields or with his chain saws. He also enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with others. He was well known for tobacco farming; but also for abundant gardens, along with watermelons and pumpkins, which he loved to sell and give away from his front yard. He loved children and had a significant influence in the lives of numerous cousins, nieces and nephews teaching them how to make their first dime; work hard and have fun at the same time; and how to celebrate when done. He instilled the importance of family, friends and church. Each generation shares tales of joys, laugher, and hard work with Webster. A fast paced worker who liked to get things done, he was a kind, caring and generous man with a big heart who loved his family, friends and trusted in the Lord.

He is survived by two sisters, Audrey Smith and Lena Smith Ross, both of Salisbury; a brother Robert Smith of Harmony; nieces Cindy Grant and husband, Joe, of Salisbury, Carolyn Williams of Santa Fe, N.M., and Tracy Brown and husband, Dale, of Hickory; nephews Harold Swisher and wife, Deanna, of Elkin; Randy Smith and wife, Renee, and Donald Smith , both of Harmony; mother-in-law Irene Swisher Crabb of Elkin; sister-in-laws, Anna Dean Thompson and husband, Kenneth and Carol Souther and husband, William, both of Hamptonville; brother-in-law James Swisher and wife, Margaret, of Elkin; numerous other nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Friday, August 5, at the Ernest Troutman Memorial Chapel of Reavis Funeral Home in Harmony. At other times, the family will be at the home on Powell Bridge Road.

Funeral services celebrating Webster’s life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 6, 2011, at Rock Spring Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Hedgecock officiating. The body will lie in state thirty minutes prior to the service and burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Tommy Hepler, Dean Hepler, Chaise Swisher, Darrell Thompson, Walt Johnson and David York will serve as pallbearers.

Curtis Hepler, Donnie Helper, Lavern Mechum, and Chris Soveranez will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.reavisfuneralhomeharmony.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rock Spring Baptist Church, c/c Sharon Krider, 572 Powell Bridge Road, Harmony, NC 28634; or to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Reavis Funeral Home of Harmony is serving the Smith Family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at the Gordon Hospice House, Statesville, and the staff at the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks, Salisbury, for their attentive care and concern.