James Lee Smith, 76 of Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 31, 2021.
“Jimmy” was a 1963 graduate of Robbinsville High School, where he played football as quarterback for the Blue Devils.
After graduation, he volunteered for service in the United States Marine Corps and served two tours of duty as a Marine Infantryman in Vietnam. Jimmy received the Purple Heart medal for injuries sustained in combat and was discharged from active duty as a Sergeant in 1967.
He went on to a distinguished career as a “telephone man” for Southern Bell/AT&T and Bell South, holding numerous positions and titles with each company. He retired from Bell South with 25 years of service.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Carpenter Smith; his brother, Jack Smith (Celie); and his sister, Louetta Blackstock (Harvey).
He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Ann Wiggins Smith; their son, James Melvin Smith (Jessica); his grandchildren, David, Nicholas, and Charlotte; his brother, Ray Smith (Dotty); his sister, Evelyn Reighard (Gene); and his brother, Billy “B.J.” Smith.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the Townson-Smith Chapel. The Revs. Patrick O’Dell and Kenny Ball officiated.
The family received friends from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, at the chapel, prior to the service.
Burial followed at Wiggins Cemetery, where military rites were conducted by the Marine Corps Honor Guard.
Townson-Smith Funeral Home was honored to serve the Smith Family.
An online register is available at townson-smithfuneralhome.com.