Henry Burnice Smith

Henry Burnice Smith Mr. Henry Burnice Smith, 86, went to be with his Savior on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. The celebration of his life will be conducted on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Arnold Price, Pastor of Reedy Branch Free Will Baptist Church, and Dr. Jeff Manning, Pastor of Unity Free Will Baptist Church officiating. Mr. Smith was married to Elsie Mills on Oct. 4, 1942, and has enjoyed a wonderful relationship for 65 years. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior as a young teen and faithfully served Him all of his life. He grew up in a close knit family and fun was always present whether in work or play. Early in his career he was employed by Globe Hardware for five years and later joined H.L. Hodges Hardware and Sporting Goods and was employed there for 18 years. He was involved in wholesale plumbing for 15 years and during his travel time he entertained himself by playing his harmonica between sales visits. After retirement, he continued to be active and was self-employed. Music, especially gospel/worship music, was always a very important part of his life, until 1996, when esophageal cancer took his ability to sing. He sang for many family weddings, family events and funerals. He was a member of Reedy Branch Free Will Baptist Church, Winterville. He enjoyed visits from family, especially his sisters and was an avid gardener and always eager to share his vegetables and fruits with family and friends. Sometimes growing those vegetables was quite a feat while the squirrels and rabbits also enjoyed the fruits of his labor. Burnice was preceded in death by his parents, Madison and Carrie Smith; brothers, Norman, Linwood and Wilbur; in-laws, Lindsey Griffin, A.T. Grimsley, Zeb Mooring, Marvin Moore, Gene and wife, Doris Mills, Thurman Mills, Marvin Mills, Tom Waters, Provert and wife, Dora Lee Mills Lassiter and Hyman Hudson. He is survived by his wife; son, Burnice Jan and wife, Carolyn, of Ayden; daughter, Susan S. Lambert and husband, Richard, of Winterville; grandchildren, Richard Smith and wife, Sherri, of Goldsboro, Laura Smith of Ayden, Emily Lambert and Adam Lambert of Winterville; great-grandchildren, Allen Smith and wife, Jenni, Andrew Smith and wife, Nicole, Alex Smith and Josh Smith; great-great-grandchildren, Brianna Smith and Damien Davis; sisters, Rubelle Mooring, Bessie Thomas and husband, Ben, Lila McLawhorn and husband, Jerry, Lottie Mozingo and husband, Mark, Doris Moore, Margaret Byrd and husband, T.L., Thelma Taylor and husband, John; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Smith, Margaret Smith and Mary Smith; his wife's sisters and brother, Magdalene Waters, Ruth Hudson, Faye Rouse, Lou Ellen Sanders and Bobby Mills and wife, Delores; sisters-in-law, Pauline Mills and Amy Mills; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends tonight from 6 – 8 at Wilkerson Funeral Home. The family wishes to especially thank Mrs. Alice Whitley, a special family friend, and Dr. Irene Hamrick, Director, Geriatric Division, Brody School of Medicine, for their special care, support and friendship during this time. The family also wishes to thank Jean Askew, RN, of University Health Systems Hospice and the other staff members of Hospice who assisted the family by providing support, comfort, assurance, advice and so much peace of mind during these past few weeks. The family also wishes to thank the many church members and others who have brought food, made phone calls to the family, visited and especially for the prayers that have been prayed on their behalf.