Grady Dean Smith

Grady Dean Smith, 86 years old of Kannapolis went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 8, 2022.  Grady was born on March 31, 1935 in Rowan County to the late Edd and Lydia Gorrell Smith.

Grady proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was a life member of the VFW Poston-Perkins Post 8989.  He was an active member of Prince of Peace Freewill Baptist Church in Kannapolis.  He worked at the former Cannon Mills Company plant #1 and #10 from 1955 to 1970, then went to work at Jefferson Mills in Jefferson, GA from 1970 to 1973, then he worked at Watkins Motor Lines in the shop from 1973 to 1976, then he worked at Kern Rubber Company in Salisbury from 1976 to 1998 and finally he worked at Midway Road Service in Kannapolis from 1998 to present, employed by Dee Bracey.

Grady was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.  Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Joyce James Smith; his son, Jimmy Dean Smith; his daughters, Janet Lee Colvard and her husband Randall, Lydia Gail Gibson and her husband Keith, and Pamela Love; his brother, Malcolm Smith; his sister, Ordella Safrit; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; fifth teen great grandchildren; six great- great grandchildren, with one due next month, and one special “Butterbean” and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 4-6pm at Prince of Peace Freewill Baptist Church, 4225 Vincent St, Kannapolis with a 6pm Funeral Service to follow.  Grady will be buried on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 11am in West Lawn Memorial Park, China Grove.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Grady’s memory to Price of Peace Freewill Baptist Church Parking Lot Fund, c/o of the church.