Joseph Odell Smithwick Sr.

Joseph Odell Smithwick, Sr. 84, of Newport, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020, at Carteret Health Care.

His funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2020, at Reece’s Chapel Baptist Church in Mill Creek, officiated by Rev. James Chadwick. Interment will be held at Gethsemane Memorial Park. Friends are welcome to attend the service. In keeping with the CDC guidelines pertaining to the Coronavirus, those who are ill or at-risk (elderly, immune-compromised) are encouraged to stay home. Additionally, there will be a limit to the number of people in the building at one time, as well, those who attend will be asked to bring and wear a protective mask. Help us honor the family while practicing safe measures. Friends are also encouraged to leave words of comfort to the family through the website. (See link below for the Service Bulletin including the Order of Service.)

Joseph was born May 2, 1936 to the late Howard and Eva Smithwick. He owned and operated Joe’s Wrecker Service for over 32 years, which he enjoyed doing when his health allowed. He loved to go hunting and stock car racing in his free time. He was a member of Reece’s Chapel Baptist Church in Mill Creek and Newport Moose Lodge. He loved his family.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Allen Smithwick; daughter, Eva Maria Smith of Newport and companion Ira William Long, Jr.; sons, Joseph Odell Smithwick, Jr. and Howard “Allen” Smithwick and wife Robin,  all of Newport; and grandchild, Tyler Joseph Smithwick.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Faye Morrison and Alice Judkins; and a brother, Henry Gibbs Smithwick.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Reece's Chapel. The same safety guidelines will apply.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.