Jasper Keels Smith

Jasper Keels Smith - RIDGELAND, SC - Jasper Keels Smith, 82, passed away February 12, 2012 at Coastal Carolina Medical Center in Hardeeville, SC. He was born in Islandton, SC on November 14, 1929 to the late Madge Keels Smith and Richard Heyward Smith. He spent his childhood years in Ruffin and Smoaks, SC and was a graduate of Ruffin High School. His first job after graduation was working as Head Teller in the People's Bank in Beaufort, SC at the age of 16. He later worked as an Accountant in several banks. He moved to Ridgeland in 1970 and became the Vice President of the Bank of Ridgeland. When the bank merged with another bank, he left banking and started working in Real Estate. He formed his own company, Sgt. Jasper Realty and Insurance. At the age of 65, he was enrolled in classes at the University of SC and was an honor student and a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Society. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Council and as Financial Chairman. He was President and Program Leader for the United Methodist's Men's Club; President and Treasurer of the Lions Club; charter member and past President and historian of the Paul Hamilton Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution having eight ancestors serving in the Revolution. He was a member of the Huguenot Society, The State American Legion; a veteran of the Korean war and a member of the United Masonic Lodge in Walterboro, SC. He recently received his 60 year pin with the Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his devoted wife; Betty Hudson Heape Smith of Ridgeland, SC who was his caregiver for six years after suffering a stroke; three daughters, Michele S. Vasquez of Kenai, AK; Daphne S. Demichael of Charleston, SC; Denise S. (Gerald) Galloway of Simpsonville, SC; two grandchildren, Ryan and Sydney Demichael of Charleston, SC; stepson, David (Holly) Heape of Ridgeland, SC; daughter in law, Libbie W. Smith of Bamberg, SC and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Brad Smith; son, Richard Keels Smith; stepson Joe Heape; two sisters, Jean Smoak and Dorothy Jarrett; sister in law, Louise Smith and Amanda A. Smith, the mother of his children. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ridgeland with burial in Beaufort Memorial Gardens, Beaufort, SC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until the hour of service at the church. Sauls Funeral Home, Ridgeland, SC ( www.saulsfh.com) Savannah Morning News February 14, 2012 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow/obituaries.com