Gerald Smithwick

Gerald L. Smithwick BELHAVEN - Gerald Lee Smithwick, 79, of the 38900 block of U.S. Hwy. 264, East, the Ponzer Community, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 at his home. Gerald was born June 3, 1931 in Ponzer, Hyde County, son of the late Harold and Margaret Carver Smithwick. Gerald was married for 53 years to Norma Everton Smithwick until her death in March 2004. Gerald is survived by a daughter, Denise Smithwick of Indianapolis; two sons of the Ponzer Community, Macon Smithwick and wife Sherry and Gilbert Smithwick and wife Cindy; five grandchildren, Macon Smithwick Jr. currently serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, Ashton Gibbs, Gerald Smithwick III, Kyle Smithwick and Tess Smithwick; three great-grandsons, Bryson Gibbs, Tyler and Robert Smithwick. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, William T. Smithwick and Doran Smithwick; a sister, Amy Lou Deese. Gerald served three years in the U.S. Army including a year in Korea with a tank battalion during the war where he attained the rank of master sergeant at the age of 20. After he was discharged from the Army, he and his wife Norma lived in her hometown of Norfolk where their four children were born before relocating to Ponzer in 1965. They ran a country store for a number of years. Gerald was an accomplished welder, and then became a successful commercial fisherman. After retiring from that, he opened a small bait business, which he ran until recently from a shop outside his home. He very much enjoyed meeting and visiting with fishermen from all over the country. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Mount Olive Church of Christ Cemetery in Ponzer. Steve Bryan will officiate and the eulogy will be delivered by his daughter, Denise Smithwick. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 930-B Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC 27834. Online sympathy messages may be directed to www.bryanfs.com. Bryan Funeral Service in Swan Quarter is assisting the family with arrangements and the family will receive friends at home.