Lionel Cromwell "Smitty" Smith Jr.

Lionel Cromwell “Smitty” Smith Jr, 84, of Wilson, NC, passed away peacefully on December 25, surrounded by loved ones while listening to the family Christian music playlist on shuffle. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 PM, Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Bible Missionary Baptist Church, 2833 Tilghman Rd N, Wilson, NC 27896. David Barnes will officiate. The family will receive friends 1 hr prior to the service at 2PM. There will be a private burial on a beautiful warm day in the future.

 Lionel was born on July 21, 1940, on a hot summer afternoon in the family home in Stonewall, NC, outside of New Bern. He was the son of Lionel C Smith Sr and M. Rose Casey Smith. He had an amazing childhood living in New Bern, Havelock, Morehead City and off Hwy 101, Beaufort. One of those homes was on 7th St in Morehead City, NC, across the street from the Munden family home where Bill, Dennis, and Phil Munden played in the street with Lytle, Lionel and Julia Rose Smith while their parents played bridge. His summers were the best, spending half the summer on Uncle Sam Casey’s Dairy Farm in Pamlico County and the other half on Smith family land, Hog Island, out from Cedar Island, NC. He drank lots of chocolate milk and had his share of oysters, crabs and fish. In 1957, the family bought their “forever” historic home in Beaufort NC. 

 Lionel always dreamed of joining the Coast Guard or the Merchant Marines, but due to a learning disability, later to be known as dyslexia, he decided to go to Barber School in Durham, NC in 1960. He married Amy Fields Smith in 1961 in Raleigh NC and later joined the Army reserves as a Military Policeman for 6 years all while barbering. Lionel was an extremely successful barber and at the peak of his business, he owned 3 shops in the North Raleigh area. He and Amy later divorced and he semi-retired and moved back to his family home in Beaufort where he owned a sailboat rental company on Front Street and spent all of his free time on his Morgan 33’ sailboat, Prime Time, or on the boardwalk in Beaufort (Dock House) listening to live music and telling sailing stories with fellow boaters every night. 

 Smitty had a thirst for adventure and travel. He worked as crew on several sailboats in the Caribbean travelling up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, lived in a motorhome in Seward, Alaska; Sun Valley, Idaho and Ogden, Utah. Once his grandchildren were born in ‘99 and ‘00, he headed back towards home working at several barber shops including Man Mur near NC State, and eventually settled in Wilson, NC where he worked at both Webb and Airport Barber Shops. He still cut great hair up until November 27th of this year! Wilson is where he also found his wonderful church community at Bible Missionary Baptist Church. He also loved horseback riding with fellow church members David, Earl and others locally as well as a trip to Montana. He briefly owned a horse named Dandy. 

 He spent as much time as he could with his kids and grandkids. Attending as many t-ball games, tennis matches, dance recitals, band shows, and motocross competitions as he could. He often drove 2 hours to watch something that lasted 2 mins. Although he was quite unlucky, he loved to fish whenever and wherever he could. 

 Lionel is survived by his daughter, Sandy Smith Glover (Tommy) and son, Randy Smith (Julie) and three grandchildren, Hudson Smith, Casey Glover Keeter (Maxton), and Lily Smith Ring (William). He is also survived by cherished friends -David Barnes (best friend) and June, his Sunday School class, his fishing buddies and his Friday night cards/dominoes crew. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother. 

 The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to special caregivers, Ashley and Toni, and Heartland Hospice for their care and compassion given to their Dad/Granddad. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Local Missions Fund, Bible Missionary Baptist Church, 2833 Tilghman Rd N, Wilson, NC 27896.

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

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