George Franklin Smith Sr.

George Franklin Smith, age 83, of Liberty, North Carolina died Sunday, December 25, 2011. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy Flynt Smith, his brother David Lawrence Smith, and his mother Kathleen Cox Smith.

Mr. Smith was born May 10, 1928 in Akron, Ohio and is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. George was proud to be a member in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in China, Korea, Nicaragua, and Hawaii before becoming a recruiter and retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant in 1965. After retiring to Liberty, his career turned to farming, real estate and interior design, and in his later years was certified by the North Carolina State Bar association and worked as a Paralegal. George was active in the Marine Corps League and served as Detachment Judge Adjutant from 2009 - 2011. He enjoyed the arts, and was talented in oil painting and woodworking.

He is survived by a son, George Franklin Smith, Jr. of Liberty, and two daughters, Gwynne Alison Sayres (Joseph) of Haymarket, VA and Holly Anne Hicks (Steven) of Cincinnati, OH; one brother, Donald Max Smith of Cleveland, OH, seven grand-children, and two great-grand children.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Loflin Funeral Home, 212 W. Swannanoa Ave., Liberty, NC. The funeral will be Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:00AM First Baptist Church of Liberty, with Pastor Brian Harrington officiating. Burial will follow in the Gilmore Memorial Park in Julian.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Liberty or to the charity of your choice.