Birth Date: 08/02/1938
Deceased Date: 03/19/2023
Larry Patrick Smith was born on August 2, 1938 to Nowell, Sr. and Ruby Core Smith. The family will receive friends 6:00PM-8:00PM-Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC. Funeral Services will be 11:00AM-Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Blackman’s Grove Baptist Church, Four Oaks, NC. Revs. Rodney Wilson and Jerry Hicks will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
He was President of his Benson High School Class, served the U.S. Navy with honor and distinction on the U.S.S. Princeton and U.S.S. York Town. He has been married to his wife, Sheila, for 49 years and they had one son Jeremy Patrick Smith, whom he loved dearly. Jeremy married Tina T. Smith and they have two precious grandchildren, Anna and Alan Thornton. Extended family are brother-in-law R. Vance Wood, wife Ann; sister-in-law Debbie J. Wood; sisters Doris E. Smith and Brenda K Shadrick, along with many Smith, Knox, and Wood nieces and nephews.
He was a Registered Radiation Technologist and served as the Radiology Manager at Johnston Memorial Hospital for over 20 years. He worked with North Carolina State University as a Radiation Safety Officer for over 5 years, and later moved to the North Carolina Radiation Safety Division as a State Radiation Inspector where he retired.
Larry’s goal in retirement was to spend time with family and primarily the son he adored. Together, they played baseball and traveled North Carolina. At the same time, Larry and Jeremy’s years in Scouting taught an appreciation for the Scout Motto “Be prepared”, and he wanted to teach this to his son. Benson Mule Days was a part of his heritage, and he served the Benson Chamber in many capacities.
Today, a good man went home to be with the Lord. Larry was the kind of man, “who did the right thing even when no one was looking”. He loved his family and his church. He was one of those people who believed in doing little things to show gratitude and love for others. He often visited nursing homes and took “small gifts”, even when the person had no idea he had been and prayed.
Larry was not a man who to sought awards, fame, or fortune. He loved and cared for his family and other people, a trait which is difficult to find in today’s word. He enjoyed delivering candy and fruit to church friends and past acquaintances who had gone through difficult times, sickness, or loss.
He was a Deacon and member of Blackman’s Grove Baptist Church for over forty years serving his church and Lord in many positions. While we will miss him each day, the family knows he is in the Arms of Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior and safe from the storms of life.
Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to Blackman’s Grove Baptist Church C/O Eddie Wood, 5187 Strickland’s Crossroads Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524
Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.
