Corey Jerome Smith

Corey Jerome Smith, age 56, of Wellford, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2025.

Corey was born on March 17, 1969, at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. He spent many years working for Milliken as a chemical facilitator. Corey was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, where he served his country with dedication.

Corey left this world doing exactly what he loved - working in his garage with his son, Caleb, and soon-to-be son-in-law, Travis. The last few weeks of his life were filled with joy, laughter, and so many of the things that made him him.

He soaked up life. From Monster Mini Golf; watching The X-Files, Tracker, Top Gun, and Land-man, playing golf with friends at Woodfin Ridge; visiting his good friend, Wolfgang, at the pet store, enjoying fun dinners with close friends Robin and Grant and their family; playing Candy Crush; smoking and grilling his famous pork butt; visiting friends who felt like family, Sherri and Jon; eating home cooked meals and laughing with his mother-in-law Pauline and Aunt Jennifer; and spending precious time with family over the Christmas holiday. He was looking forward to seeing Andrew and James who felt like his own kiddos. He loved talking football with his brother Casey and his mom Janice - especially about the Kansas City Chiefs and smiling big while catching up on all of our recent adventures.

A favorite memory will always be how hard he worked to make the outdoor Christmas decorations perfect - just so he could see the big smile and hear his wife's giggles when he lit them up that first night. He had just finished projects of getting the Ghia running again, fixing up an old picnic table to look brand new, and setting it up on the back property near the wooden seat he built. He and his wife were looking forward to picnics with the dogs in the spring. He had also just bought us a two-seater kayak so they could go sightseeing and exploring on Lake Jocassee.

He loved sharing life with the kids - picking out guns with Caleb and Travis, winning at pool with Caleb and Kaycee, the Christmas Nerf battles, game nights, and celebrating with their new Ingles work family at a fun Christmas house party. These last few weeks gave his family so many beautiful memories that they will forever hold close.

Corey and Elizabeth could argue and fight with the best of them - but they also loved each other like no other couple ever could. He was an incredible husband and an amazing father. Together, they raised the best kids anyone could ever ask for, and he was endlessly proud of them.

He was so proud of Caleb - graduating with multiple degrees, becoming an EMT and firefighter, and looking forward to celebrating his medical school graduation and paramedic degree. He cherished their shooting days, earning their conceal and carry licenses together, and absolutely adored Caleb's wife, Mary Katherine, his little "Pinky," and all of her many talents...especially her cooking and ability to challenge Caleb with her wit and intelligence.

He was so proud of Kaycee, excited for her upcoming graduation and wedding. He loved blasting music from his playlist while driving her Mini Cooper with the top down and lived for that BIG hug every time his little girl came home from college - greeting her with, "Whatsup baby gurl??" as he lifted her off the floor.

He truly loved Travis - the ONLY man he ever approved of for his little girl - and was looking forward to spending countless hours together in the garage working on the Ghia and airplanes.

We miss him more than words can ever express. Every second without him is a struggle. But God has blessed us with incredible memories, no regrets, and a support system of family and friends beyond compare.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Margaret Elizabeth Blankenship Smith of Wellford; daughter, Kaycee Alexandra Smith, and fiancé Travis Steven Horton; son, Caleb Hunter Smith, and wife, Mary Katherine Flage Smith; mother, Janice Marie Henderson of El Dorado, Kansas; brother, Casey Jack Smith, and wife, Traci Smith of Moline, Kansas; niece, Emily Smith Wolfe; nephews, Levi and Elijah Smith; godchildren, Sarah Beth and Mary Grace Jones, and Jon and Will Henrikson; also Andrew and James Howell who were a very important part of Corey's life.

In addition to his father, Rodney Wayne Smith, he was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Funeral services with military honors will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2026, in the Chapel of Eggers Funeral Home Chapel of Boiling Springs, officiated by Brian Flage.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM, prior to the service on Friday.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.com