He was the husband of Paula (McLamb) Smith. They were married at age 23 and were blessed to spend 53 loving years together.
Earl was born on November 5, 1946 in Whiteville, NC. He was the son of the late George Verton and Clyda Mae (Cox) Smith and raised on a farmstead in Ash, NC.
In 1969 he graduated magna cum laude from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he majored in Psychology.
He and his wife were the co-owners of J/Mac Construction Company, which remained in operation until 2023.
In addition to his wife, Earl is survived by his son, Keith Smith, and his daughter, Nancy Shanea Smith, his brother, George Melton Smith (Faye). Two grandpups; Panzer and Kabuki-San and a broad of cats who loved him as much as he loved them. He was a voracious reader, a master gardener, and a first-rate story teller.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the Lee Funeral Home and Crematory, 11840 Hwy 90, Little River, SC
The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2024 at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, 1010 Hickman Rd. NW Calabash.
Burial will be in McLamb Anderson Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kind Keepers Animal Care, 1500 LD Drive, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. Or Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1150, Shallotte, NC 28459
