Ernest “Ernie” Hugh Smith, 78, formerly of Smith Hudson Road, Siler City, went home to be with his Lord on April 23, 2021.
Ernest was born on September 20, 1942, to Heiskell Ernest Smith and Kathleen Fox Smith. Ernest loved interacting with people. He worked in tool sales and later as an auto parts manager. He enjoyed the fruits of his labor, living on the property that held so much of his Smith heritage. He loved his Lord, his family, and tending to the harvest of the land. He attended Calvary Faith Baptist Church. Ernest served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1963. He is preceded in death by his parents, Heiskell and Kathleen Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Schillinger Smith; daughters, Rebekah Smith Lamb (Daniel) of Lewisville, N.C., and Darlene Smith Cox (Jody) of Seagrove; five grandchildren, Joshua and Meredith Lamb, and Josiah, Charissa, and Susanna Cox; his sisters, Margaret Young (Phil) and Carolyn Handley (Herb); and brothers, Ronald (Margaret), Mike (Carol), Donald (Sheree) and Randy (Lisa).
Memorials may be made to the Bible Broadcasting Network (BBN), P.O. Box 7300, Charlotte, N.C. 28241, or to the Faith Christian School, 5449 Brookhaven Rd., Ramseur, N.C. 27316, in honor of his love for God’s Word and his love for Christian Education.
The family received friends on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Calvary Faith Baptist Church, 2891 Siler City-Snow Camp Rd., Siler City, N.C.. The funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at Calvary Faith Baptist Church. Burial followed at Chatham Memorial Park, 13260 Hwy. 64 West, Siler City, with Randy Smith, Pastor Thomas Smith, Pastor Jimmy Talton and Pastor Tony Brafford officiating.
Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Smith family.
Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.