Ralph T. Smith

Obituary: Ralph Thomas Smith, age 88, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2013 at his home after a period of declining health. He was born February 10, 1925 in Rowan County, NC, the son of the late Thad William Smith and Mabel Parks Smith. He graduated in 1942 from Landis High School. Ralph was employed with the former Cannon Mills Company, Plant #1, in #1 Weave Room as a loom fixer for many years before his retirement. He was also a logger and a farmer. A lifelong member of St. Enoch Lutheran Church, he had served in various phases of church activities. In addition to his work and church, he was a past member & past-president of the Enochville Lions Club, Enochville Precinct Voter Registrar, and was a member of the Rowan Young Democrats Club where he had served as president. He was proud of his service to his country having served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe as a paratrooper in the 17th Airborne. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy W. Smith; a brother, Paul Smith; and brothers-in-law, Troy W. Karriker and Grady Bost; and a nephew, Duane Smith. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 27, 2013 at St. Enoch Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. John Mark Beam. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Whitley's Funeral Home. Survivors include his children, Judy S. Beaver & husband, Rev. Grady "Buddy" Beaver of Wytheville, Va; Jerry T. Smith & wife, Adrian B. Smith of Denmark, SC; Donna S. Lambert & husband, Jerry W. Lambert of Kannapolis, NC; and Karen S. Walter & husband, John M. "Mike" Walter of Concord, NC; grandchildren, Jerry Lane Beaver of Phoenix, AZ; Nicole "Nikki" B. Rowland of Mission Viejo, CA; Angie E. Smith of West Columbia, SC; James Black of West Columbia, SC; Sheila O. Johnson of Richfield, NC; David M. Overcash of Kannapolis, NC; F.G. "Jerry" Lambert of Salisbury, NC; and Josh L. Lambert of Concord, NC; great-grandchildren, Ivy Guerrero, Alex Catoe, Tad Johnson, Jaxon Johnson, Brooks Overcash, Mason Overcash, Samantha Lambert, Addison Lambert, Anthony Vaccaro, Marissa Lambert; sisters, Louise Bost and Nancy S. Karriker; sisters-in-law, Audrey K. Smith and Mary Helen Wilkinson. Memorials may be made to Unity United Methodist Church, c/o Mobile Meals Program, 8505 Unity Church Road, Kannapolis, NC 28081 or St. Enoch Lutheran Church, 701 Campbell Avenue, Kannapolis, NC 28081. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday June 26, 2013 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 1:00 PM Thursday June 27, 2013 St. Enoch Lutheran Church Kannapolis, North Carolina

Interment: St. Enoch Lutheran Church Cemetery