Lewis Edward Smith

Lewis Edward Smith, 83, of 814 Ricon Place, Durham, NC passed away at his home on Saturday, April 5, 2013. Ed was born on November 19, 1930 in Durham County to the late Will Lewis Smith and Nettie Irene Holloway Smith.  He was a US Navy veteran (1952-1956) and fought in the Korean conflict. Ed retired from Owens Illinois and Pine State Electric.   He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Creedmoor where he and his wife, Joy, led the children’s ministry “Kidz Praisz” for 32 years.   He loved boys and girls and led many to Christ.  Ed had a heart for missions and served on the Missions Committee  for many years.  His desire was for the world to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.  Ed dearly loved his church and his pastors. In addition to his parents,  he was preceded in death by a son, Ralph Edward Smith,  siblings, James Smith, Robert Smith, Roger Smith and Brenda Marcelle Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Joy Byrd Smith, a daughter, Lisha Henson (Mike), grandchildren, Phillip Henson (Paula),  Courtney Jackson (Graham), sisters,  Minnie Josephine Lynn, Nancy Williams, Gloria Moorefield, a brother, Charles Smith (Alice), sisters-in-law, Mary Smith, Lena Bryant and Thelma Christ, along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own.

Ed was a professional cut-up and jokester sharing hugs and smiles everywhere he went.  His favorite past times were eating and napping.  God chose to take him Home to Heaven during his Saturday afternoon nap.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Bible Baptist Church.  Pastor Greg Allison and Pastor Jimmy Hall will officiate. Burial will follow in the Holloway Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Terry Epps,  Bryant  Inscoe, Brian Kennedy, Forrest Kennedy, Len Roberts, Brian Smith, Mike Stephens, Allan Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Vance Clayton, Gerald Detweiler, Donald Hagan, Don Holder, Don Hursey, Frank Murphy, Gene Smith and Doug Wyatt.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, PO Box 348, Warrenton, MO  63383-0348 for the ministry of Kent and Becky Bryant in Fiji.  Please designate Account  # AFJO 2083. Online condolences can be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com.