James Arthur Smith

James Arthur Smith, Jr., 87, of Morganton died Saturday, September 15, 2012. Born in Greenville, SC on August 6, 1925, he was the son of the late James Arthur Smith and Ethel Ballew Smith. James was a member of Carswell Memorial Baptist Church and retired from the Vocational Rehabilitation Program at Broughton Hospital. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII.He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Carroll Smith of the home; sons, Michael Smith and wife, Susan, of Portland, OR, and Larry Smith and wife, Cristine, Philip Smith and wife, Irma, Cecil Smith, and Alan Smith and wife, Patsy, all of Morganton; a daughter-in-law, Merita Smith; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; a brother, Dan Smith of Indianapolis, IN; and sisters, Margaret and Edna.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Smith; a daughter-in-law, Karen Smith; a brother, Evertie Smith; and three sisters, Mary Jo, Polly, and Lily.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at Carswell Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. J. C. Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard and Caldwell Veterans Honor Group. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home on Old NC 18.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.