Jerry Millard Smith

DURHAM- Mr. Jerry Millard Smith, 105, of Durham, died Saturday, October 27, 2018. Born at Wyse Fork in Lenoir county, he was the son and eldest child of the late Thomas Roy Smith and Mamie Lee Taylor Smith. A proud graduate of Jasper School, in Craven County, he grew up on farms in eastern North Carolina and became a farmer and businessman in Craven and Lenoir counties.
When the U.S. entered World War II, Mr. Smith was working at Mallard Griffin Lumber Company in Kinston. He joined the Navy with two others from the company and became a member of the 1st Battalion of the U.S. Navy Seabees. He was proud of his service with the Seabees and their work in the South Pacific during the war. They were responsible for the construction of the base, airport landing strip and a hospital on the New Hebrides Island about 800 miles from Guadalcanal. Following the war, he returned to Kinston and the lumber company. In 1961, he sold his share of the business and moved to Durham to work with a building supply company. He retired from West Durham Lumber Company in 1979, then worked at Hudson Funeral Home for 10 years and retired from Professional Mortuary Service in 2008 at age 95.
On Mr. Smith’s 100th birthday he was honored at he Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He was also recognized by the Navy Seabees, Senator Richard Burr, Lt. Governor Dan Forest, military members, and Veteran Affairs representatives for his service and longevity. Prior to his death, he was viewed as the oldest living member of the original Seabee battalion.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jerald Thomas Smith; three brothers, William Felton Smith, Samuel Eugene Smith, Horace McKeever Smith; and three sisters, Ava Louise DeBruhl, Mildred Baker Smith and Doris Geneva Scurrey.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty Ervin Smith of Durham; one daughter, Dr. Beverly J. Smith (Mae) of Oxford; one son, Randall Allen Smith (Jenny) of Rineyville, Kentucky; two grandsons, Tommy Smith and Jeremy Smith; one great grandson and one great granddaughter all of Orange County. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, many cousins, and a host of friends.
According to his wishes no services are planned. The family is being assisted by Hudson Funeral Home.