Thomas "Son" Smith

Thomas “Tom” Smith, 79, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Born in Rockingham, NC, he was a son of the late Leo Smith and Nezzie Williams Smith.

From a young age, Tom’s goal was to provide for those he loved. He began working at James Fabrics, later renamed Highland Industries, when he was seventeen. He worked there until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1965. While stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado, he earned his G.E.D., married the love of his life, and welcomed their first child, Ellen. After being discharged in December 1967, he and his family made the long journey home and Tom returned to Highland Industries, where he totaled over 44 years of hard work. Tom thrived in retirement, spending his newfound free time with his beloved grandchildren. He introduced them to his favorite hobbies – farming, hunting, and fishing – and chaperoned all their field trips.

The only person Tom loved more than his family was God. While a member at Lower Macedonia Baptist Church, he served as a leader of the Royal Ambassadors, a mission and discipleship organization for young boys. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and, at one time, was Chairman of the Deacon Board. He served his broader community with this same devotion, playing a large part in the founding of the Teals Mill Volunteer Fire Department. He loved God, his family, his community, and his country dearly.

He is survived by his adoring wife Joyce Crenshaw Smith (58 years of marriage) of the home; his daughter, Ellen (Barry) Hurst of Cheraw, SC; his son, Thomas Christopher “Chris” Smith of Conway, SC; his grandchildren, Tristin (Adam) Rice, Clayton (Leah) Hurst, Cameron (Kathryn) Hurst, Charlotte Hurst, Garrett Smith and his devoted girlfriend Jordyn Emmons; his great-grandchildren, Mabry Rice, Eastyn Rice, Boyce Rice, Madalyn Hurst; his sister, Linda Smith Hall; his beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and countless other friends and family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents listed above, his brother, James Smith, his sister, Pearlie Ann Buck, and his daughter-in-law, Reta Brock Smith.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Sunday, February 22, 2026, in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church, Cheraw, SC.

A funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at Lower Macedonia Memorial Gardens, Chesterfield, SC with military honors.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 126 Greene Street, Cheraw, SC 29520.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Smith family.