Donald Elisha Smith

Donald Elisha Smith, 90, of Morganton, NC passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016 while surrounded by his devoted wife of two years, Lana Reavis Smith, and family.  He died following a courageous battle with cancer than began in 2002.

He was born January 18, 1926, the youngest of eight children, to Ora Lee Smith and Maggie Jane Smith Smith in Kernersville, NC.  Before entering the Navy, a few days before his 18^th birthday, Don had worked at the shipyards in Norfolk, VA and Galveston, TX.  In the Navy, Don served as a turret gunner in a Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber.  Of the six sons, five were in the service at once time during WWII.  Following Naval service, Don attended National Business College in Roanoke, VA.  During this time, he met Edrie Lee Stone from Winston-Salem.  They married on October 16, 1948 and shared 61 years together before her passing in 2009.

Don worked for the Ernst and Ernst Accounting Firm after graduating college.  In 1954 he became a Certified Public Accountant.  He came to Morganton in 1956 as treasurer for Morganton Furniture Company.  When they were purchased by Drexel Heritage Furniture Company, Don started working there, retiring as Vice President/Treasurer in 1990.  He was an active member of First United Methodist Church, longtime member of the Aldersgate Class, and a member of the Morganton Kiwanis Club.

Don was lucky enough to find love again late in life and entered into his second marriage at age 88 with Lana Reavis.  Don was proud of his minor successes in tennis and a golf score of 70 at Mimosa Hills at age 73.  He persevered through 2 cancers, one at 28 and one at 76.  As his children, we were impressed he still had all his own teeth at age 90, which is no small accomplishment.  His self-discipline was amazing as well.  He provided us with good advice (which some of us should have paid more attention to): “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything”; “Moderation in all things; “and “when working, pay yourself first!”  He and mom managed to raise five children, and we provided many challenges.  He will be missed.

Don and his wife took the adage “be fruitful and multiply” literally.  Mr. Smith is the father of five children, Donald E. Smith, Jr. (Pat) and Steven Michael Smith (Debra), both of Morganton, Douglas Mark Smith (Gladys), of Spokane, WA, LeAnne (Le) Smith Dudley (David) of Portland, OR, and David Allen Smith (Jennifer) of Asheville, NC; grandchildren, Tracy Ann Martin, Kristy Lynn Reed, Douglas Mark Smith, Jr. (Valerie), Steven Michael Smith, Jr., Allison Lee Smith (Jenna Major), Christopher Jon Dudley (Erin), Cameron Kelly Smith Mauney (Maxwell), Amanda Nicole Dudley Jordan (Phil), Jacob Thomas Smith, II, Sarah Elizabeth Smith, and Lucia Stone Smith; and his older brother, Jack Clifford Smith of Kernersville, NC.

The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. John Fowler and the Rev. Charlotte Brendel officiating.  The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.