Kenneth Maynard Smith

Kenneth “Ken” Maynard Smith, age 73, of Conover, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born October 12, 1941 in Cleveland County, NC, he was the son of the late John Smith and Gertie Lail Smith.

Kenneth graduated from St. Stephens High School and served in the US Army. He was a long time member of American Legion Post 48 and retired from American General Insurance Co. He loved his wife, son and granddaughter. He loved Jeremy as his own son and shared his life fully with him. When Jeremy joined the Boy Scouts, Ken stepped in and helped out in Cub Scouts and then as a Boy Scout Master. When Jeremy got to high school, Ken joined the boosters club and became president of the club. In his later years, he joined the Riverside Moose Club and served in several offices before it closed. Ken was an avid race fan. He worked as a race official at the Hickory Speedway and then with NASCAR on the Dash and Truck series. He was also a big crappie fisherman. Along with his good friend, Danny Reece, they tore High Rock Lake up. He loved his granddaughter to no end. She was his “baby girl”.

Ken is survived by his wife of 37 years, Nettie Thurman Abbott Smith; son, Jeremy Clay Abbott; and granddaughter, Delaney Faith Abbott.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2014 in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Hickory with Rev. Justin Thurman officiating. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 544.

The family will receive friends from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.