William “Frank” Smith

Published 2:48 pm Monday, September 10, 2018

William “Frank” Smith, 94, of Columbus, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at his home with his family.

Frank was the son of the late William Frank Smith Sr. and Ardria Lula Woods Smith Hoffman. 

He served in the United States Army during World War II in the motor pool assigned to the 563 AAA during the Battle of the Bulge.

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After his time in the service, he married the love of his life, Virginia Sparks Smith, who passed away in 2005. 

He worked as a rural mail carrier, and retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He spent many years operating a dairy farm on Smith Dairy Road in Columbus.

Over the years, he was very active in the local community, working as an umpire for the recreational department and working with the local 4-H. He served as a former board member for Columbus Fire Department, and on the Polk County Soil and Water Board for over 20 years. He was a founding member of the Columbus Lions Club.

Frank was a member of Columbus Presbyterian Church, and served the church in many capacities over the years.

Those who knew Frank will always remember how he loved his family, his farm, his big white truck and his cows. 

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Frank Smith.

Surviving are two sons, Ronnie Smith of Columbus and Jimmy Smith (Nita) of Columbus; four grandsons, Robbie Smith (Regina), Lonnie Smith (Wendy), Randy Smith (Megan) and Jason Smith (Hali); five granddaughters, Donna Goodman (Eric), Angie Hill, Shelia Salyers (Billy), Sherry Rogers (Donnie) and Sally Halford; and two step-granddaughters, Jenna Joslin and Jeralyn Carruth. Also surviving are 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. 

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, at Columbus Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Billy Salyers and the Rev. Philip Dunford officiating. 

The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from noon to 1:45 p.m. 

Burial will follow the service at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus with military rites given by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard. 

The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Meals on Wheels, Heather and Sherry that made it possible for Frank to spend his last few months at home. 

Memorials may be made to Polk County Meals on Wheels, 75 Carmel Lane, Columbus, NC 28722; Columbus NC Lions Club, 80 Sourwood Lane, Columbus, NC 28722; or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. 

At all other times, family will be at the home.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral

Chapel & Crematory