Lewis Smith

Lewis Bernard Smith passed away at 10 minutes past midnight on July 6th, 2016 at Courtyards at Berne Village in New Bern, NC from natural causes; he was 88 years old.  Lewis was born in Reaves Township, Mullins, SC on July 19, 1927.  He was the second son of Bertha Lewis and James Whiteford Smith.  Lewis grew up on a tobacco farm outside of Mullins, SC with his parents and his late brother James Allen Smith.  When he wasn’t worming tobacco by hand or seeding cotton, he and his brother would throw a sweet potato back and forth as times were too tight for a football during the Great Depression.  Lewis graduated from Clemson Agricultural College, now Clemson University, earning a degree in Agronomy (soil science). He completed his studies at Clemson in 1949. Before moving to Virginia and joining the Virginia Tech extension service, Lewis taught high school.  After moving to Virginia, Lewis met and married his late wife Elizabeth Weber Pancake.  Lewis and Elizabeth lived in Charlottesville, VA and had three children: Elizabeth Campbell Ezzat now living in Cairo, Egypt, Robert Whiteford Smith, now residing in New Bern, NC, and Abigail Hutchinson Smith from Roanoke, VA.  Three grandchildren Tamir Ezzat, Heithem Ezzat and Laura Ezzat also survive Lewis as well as one great grandson Tarek Ezzat.  Three sisters-in-law also survive Lewis: Martha Cordray, Emily Pancake, and Nelwyn Smith. While living in Charlottesville, VA, Lewis attended the University of Virginia earning a Master’s degree in Education. Lewis was always involved and very supportive of the Methodist Church wherever he lived.  He attended Sunday school and church services faithfully.  Lewis chaired board meetings and acted as usher.  Lewis was also involved with the Ruritan Club.  Lewis taught classes at St. Leo College after his retirement from the extension service. Lewis served in the Army Reserves as part of the military police.  He retired as a Major and enjoyed going to the commissary. A memorial service will be held at the Bethel Memorial Cemetery at 2947 Tidewater Trail, Jamaica, Virginia on July 16, 2016 at 12 o’clock noon.  Donations, if desired, may be made to the Urbanna United Methodist Church.  A special thank you to the management and staff at Courtyards at Berne Village in New Bern for the excellent care provided to Lewis while he was there. Arrangements made by Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Saluda.