August 10, 2022, 92, Mount Olive –
George Peel Smith, 92, of the Beautancus Community near Mount Olive, died Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the North Carolina Veterans Home in Kinston.
He was born June 21, 1930, in Wayne County to Coy Bernel and Mattie Gladys Benton Smith.
George is survived by his wife of 67 years, Martha Roberts Smith of the home. Also surviving are his sons: Jesse Smith and wife Sharon of Mt. Olive and Tim Smith and wife Lynne of Mt. Olive. Five Grandchildren: Erin S. Thoma, and husband Jeremy of Sneads Ferry, William Smith of Mt. Olive, Noel Smith of Greenville, Hannah S. Brock and husband Ethan of Mt. Olive and Melissa Ann Smith of Mt. Olive. Two Great-Grandchildren, Eleanor Thoma and Jeremiah Thoma of Sneads Ferry. He is also survived by one brother, Jim Smith of Clayton, one sister, Lillie S. Jones of Mt. Olive and one sister-in-law, Marie Roberts of Mt. Olive. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in the Roberts and Smith families.
In addition to his parents, George was predeceased by his infant brother, Frank Smith and brothers Jack Smith and Eugene Smith, and sister, Doris S. Robinson. He was also predeceased by his brothers-in-law and their wives: Boyden Roberts, Ray Roberts (Henrietta), Wyatt Roberts (Dorothy), and Wayne Roberts.
George was a graduate of B.F. Grady High School and a veteran of the US Air Force, having served during the Korean War. He married Martha Roberts on January 14, 1955, and farmed until 1962, when he began work with NC Department of Transportation in Kenansville. He retired from DOT in 1992 and began making oak split baskets along with his wife Martha.
George was a member of Stanford Presbyterian Church and attended Bethel United Methodist Church.
A service celebrating George’s life will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 3:00 PM at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mt. Olive. Visitation with family and friends will follow the funeral. Private burial will beat Wayne Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorial gifts be made to Roberts-Swinson Scholarship Endowed Fund, University of Mount Olive, PO Box 90, Mount Olive, NC 28365