Elmer Franklin Smith, Jr.

Elmer Franklin Smith, Jr. 80, of Shallotte, North Carolina passed away after an extended illness on September 29, 2025, in Durham. Mr. Smith was born February 23, 1945, in Durham to the late Elmer Franklin Smith, Sr. and Nannie Bell Briggs Smith.

Mr. Smith is predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Jackie Oakes Smith, and a brother, Jimmy David Smith.

Mr. Smith is survived by his daughters, Lynn Smith Edmonds and husband Wayne of Raleigh and Kara Smith Wyckoff and husband John of Rougemont. Also, brother, Norman Smith; sister, Martha Smith Davis; grandchildren, Josef Edmonds, Lydia Edmonds, Amanda Wyckoff McCullen (Zack), and Parker Wyckoff.

Elmer enjoyed a rewarding career with IBM and retired after 33 years of service. It was through IBM that he was able to work at The Masters Golf Tournament for 25 consecutive years. As part of that incredible opportunity, he also got to play Augusta National each May of those years. This was an awesome experience he cherished. In 2002 he moved from Durham to Brunswick County where he thrived in retirement with many good friends, plenty of golf and fun family time at the beach.

A visitation will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will follow at Mitchell Family Cemetery across from Bethesda Baptist Church, 1914 S. Miami Blvd. Durham.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Edmonds, John Wyckoff, Doug Zweig, Jay Smith and Norman Smith.

Flowers and/or donations are welcome. Donations can be made to the National Park Foundation, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005 or online: https://www.nationalparks.org/