May 29, 2022, 82, La Grange –
Paul Smith, 82, was summoned to the home his Lord has prepared for him on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Paul was born in Wayne County to the late Jimmy Hill Smith and Edna Langston Smith on December 4, 1939. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Rev. Dr. Pauline Smith West and Edna Faye Smith Howell.
Paul faithfully served his country in the United States Navy. Following his original enlistment term, he returned home to make a life with his love, Mary Ann Wood Smith. Together, the two built a life of love and friendship that sustained them for over 60 years.
Skilled as a carpenter, there wasn’t anything that Paul couldn’t tackle. From framing a home to putting the finishing touches on trim molding, his eye for perfection made him the ideal man for the job. Building from start to finish, repairing, or remodeling, he was simply the best.
The plumb line Paul used to start each day was time spent in devotion with a prayer on his lips and the Bible in his hand. Before anything else, you could rest assured that Paul was going to place this as his first priority. After time with his Lord, he’d step outside to feed his beloved cats. The best of days continued with a trip to the river to fish. Along with his daughter, Beverly, and his best friend, Bill Carter, the trio could surely reel in a load of trout.
Paul had a love of good food and knew where all the best buffets were in the area. Though many meals were enjoyed in numerous restaurants, none compared to the home cooked meals provided by his wife and enjoyed with family dining around the table at home.
Many found in Paul both a genuine and generous friend. Willing to stop whatever he was doing to help others, Paul always put others before himself. Selfless and giving, he was the kind of friend anyone would prize. Even-tempered and usually reserved, Paul saved his words for those things he felt were most important. You knew that when he spoke, he meant what he said and you were wise to listen.
A service of love and remembrance will be held by the graveside at Fairview Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann Wood Smith; daughter, Beverly Kaye Smith and special friend, Amy Carol Price; and long-time best friends, Bill Carter and Aldon Summerlin.
The family will receive friends for a time of fellowship and visitation from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to United in Christ Church, 1314 Patetown Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530; or White Oak Grove FWB Church, c/o Janet Brown, 1794 Jenny Lind Road, La Grange, NC 28551. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
