Mr. Calvin Monroe Smith, 87, of Lenoir, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Hickory Falls Nursing Home, following a period of declining health.
Calvin was born on September 19, 1937, in Burke County to the late James Gordon Smith and Lillie Mae Cook Smith. He retired from Blue Ridge Electric, where he worked for over 40 years as an assistant maintenance manager, was a member of Living Hope Church in Lenoir, and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Calvin loved his family, his church and the Lord, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was also an original board member of Caldwell Friends, a long running program for at risk children of Caldwell County, helping them in finding mentorships.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Johanna Maier; grandson, Dekota Smith, foster daughter, Donna Swain and a sister, Betty Jean Holman.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 66 years, Nancy Deese Smith of the home, one son, Keith Smith and wife Cynthia, two brothers, Ray Smith and wife Betty Jean of Hickory, Billy Gene Smith and wife Judy of Porterville, CA, and two sisters, Laura Watson and husband Odell of Granite Falls, and Nan Fitts of Granite Falls and a brother in-law, Ronald Holman. Also surviving are grandchildren; Chris Anders and wife Allison, Katelyn Anders, David Jeremiah Richards, all of Granite Falls, and Charity Cryer and Jennifer Cryer, both of Houston, Texas; numerous great-grandchildren; his foster children, Robert Lee Hoyle III, Sherry Hoyle, and Shelby Jean Reid.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. at Living Hope Church in Lenoir with Pastor Keith Gilliam, Pastor David Crisp and Pastor Grey Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain Grove Baptist Church, with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy, and with Robbie Hoyle, Chris Anders, Jeremiah Richards, Joey Watson, James Fitts and Blake Williams serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. at Living Hope Church in Lenoir.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Living Hope Church Veterans Group, 1890 Connelly Springs Rd., Lenoir, NC 28645.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is assisting the Smith family.
Such a special person will be greatly missed. Will see him again in Heaven.
Calvin was a wonderful friend,we loved
him. He will be missed. Our condolences
to the family…
Such a legacy he left us to live by. He was a loving, caring, and giving man. I was honored to care for Calvin for the last 4 years. He was always talking about his Pastor all the time. He loved all the pastors at LHC.
I was so grateful to be with Calvin when he was seeing Jesus and people in heaven. He talked about his mom hugging him. He said “I can see Jesus with my own two eyes.” he also said he kissed Jesus. He then went on to say Jesus told me not today and cried. I told him that was OK maybe another day. The CNA asked him if he was happy and he said “I am happier than I’ve been in my whole life.” loved being his daughter in law. I know I will see you again Calvin.
Keith and I had the privilege to worship with Mr. Calvin at Whitnel. He was such a sweet person. We loved him and him family.
Keith and Rita Vaughn