Earl C. Smith

Mr. Earl C. Smith, age 92, passed away on December 22, 2021. Earl was born November 15, 1929 to the late Sidney and Gertrude Bullard Smith in Roseboro, NC.

He graduated in 1949 from the North Carolina School for the Deaf where he started his printing career. He married the love of his life, Louvenia Smith in 1954. Earl retired from the Herald-Sun Newspaper after 35 years of service. He cherished his family and friends and was active in his church, the North Carolina Association of the Deaf and the Triangle Association for the Deaf for many years. He had many gifts and hobbies including working with electrical, plumbing, carpentry, automotive repair, traveling, boating and fishing.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his daughter, Sophie S. Layton; brothers, Rueben Smith, Wiley Smith, Chester Smith, and Lester Smith; sisters, Christine Bledsoe, Iula Starr, and Linda Johnson; and grandson, Bailey Layton.

Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife, Louvenia Smith; son, Jock Smith (Yvetta) of Durham NC; daughter, Donna Miller (William) of Raleigh, NC; brothers, Edom Smith, Joe Smith, Jack Smith, and Hurley Smith; sister, Lura Phelps; grandchildren, Jared Smith, Hannah Hunt (Michael), Stephanie Scarano (Jon), Justin Layton (Sarah); great-grandchildren, Carson Layton, Jack Layton, and Brooke Scarano; and son-in-law, Joe Layton.

A visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 with the funeral service at 12:30 p.m. at Bethesda Baptist Church, 1914 S. Miami Blvd. Durham, NC.  A private committal service will be held for the family.

Flowers are acceptable or memorial donations can be directed to Bethesda Baptist Church Building Fund, 1914 S. Miami Blvd. Durham, NC 27703.