Jesse Willard "Butch" Smith, Jr.
October 6, 1944 ~ November 24, 2023
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BATTLEBORO – Jesse Willard "Butch" Smith, Jr., age 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 24, 2023. Born in Greenville County, SC on October 6, 1944, he was the son of the late Jesse Willard Smith, Sr. and Mary Catherine Adcox Smith.
A man of great faith, Butch was a longtime member of Avalon Baptist Church where he was also a Choir Director for many years. A talented musician, he loved music which he had a deep passion for, and spending time fishing with his family and friends. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Butch retired as a lifelong electrician. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and good friend to many, Butch will be forever remembered and dearly missed.
Butch is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Jean Terrell Smith; his son, Jesse Willard "Tony" Smith, III (Kelly); his daughters, Sandy Smith Rainey (Lee), Janelle Smith Fogleman (Jeff), and Dina Smith Davis; his grandchildren, Garrett Rainey (Emily), Forrest Rainey (Nichole), Trevor Smith (Heather), Lauren Capo (Michael), Brooke Temple, Seth Temple, Tyler Fogleman (Kaitlin), Dr. Jenna Fogleman, Brison Davis, and Gavin Davis; his great grandchildren, Jackson Rainey, Tucker Rainey, and Graham Fogleman; his sister, Joan Smith Taylor; his niece, Shannon Barber; his best friend and cousin, Jerry Adcox; and many other cousins and extended family.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Butch’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804, with Rev. Chris Hall officiating. Burial will follow the service at Battleboro Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in Butch’s name to Avalon Baptist Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 910, Battleboro, NC 27809.
The family would like to especially thank his granddaughter and caretaker, Dr. Jenna Fogleman, for her love, care, and support of her grandfather.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
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Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Jean, it is with a heavy heart that I send my sincere condolences to you and your entire family. May you all find comfort in knowing others care.
Sandra Clark
We are sorry for your families loss.With love,Mary & Cheyenne Capps
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolence. Death and grief are so hard especially the first year but our Great God of comfort (2Cor 1:3) has sent his son to show us He will remember our loved ones, just like when Christ remembered Lazarus and resurrected him back to life on earth. (John 11) Christ assured us of this promise at John 5:28,29! May these passages help you to endure with hope! With my deepest sympathy.
That man could surely sing.
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services what goes with all the question marks on all your obits?
He was my “big brother.” Playing “trucks and cars” and cowboys with me. Always ready with a funny story or to share a joke. He’d keep ya laughing. Now he’ll keep the Almighty entertained with a song and a smile.
Jean and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Kay Abbott Bissette
Uncle Butch was a handsome and kind man.
His eyes where blue as the sky and had a voice of an angel.
I cared, respected and admired him before i even knew he was my uncle. A genuine family man. He worked as hard for his family as he did for the Lord. With out a doubt the trumpits did sound when heavens gates opened up to give uncle Butch’s wings.
Janelle and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one.Just look to the hills from whence all your help comes from. GOD will see you all through. He is too wise to make a mistake. I will continue to keep you
all in prayer. Mrs. Darlene Pittman Battleboro, NC
Grateful to have known Butch! What a wonderful man he was. He truly loved the Lord and his family. Praying God blesses and comforts all of you in the days ahead.
Candace
So sorry for your loss. Butch was a well love person. I sure enjoyed the little time I got to serve the lord with him. I know I will meet him on the other side one day. I pray God with strengthen each and every one of ya’ll through this time. We serve an awesome GOD! Gloria Crocker
Sandy, Janelle, Dina and the entire Smith Family-
May GOD comfort and strengthen your grieving hearts as only HE can do. In the days to come, may your find peace and comfort in knowing HEAVEN is real and in Christ Jesus we will be there with our Lord. Love, Heather and Shashoney
I’ll forever be grateful for all the wisdom, he instilled in me as a child as Dina and I grow up learning and experiencing life. I will also never forget his voice when he sang he gave you complete chills a voice of an angel. Mr. Smith I hope you seeing Daddy and yall sit and talk for hours as you two did everytime you seen each other. You will truly be missed..
My thoughts and prayers are with Jean and the entire family today. Love to you all.