Matthew Smith

CHEROKEE – Matthew "Bubba" Lee Smith, 41 (EBCI), passed away peacefully to go home and be with the Lord Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. A native of Cherokee, he was the son of Walter "Paul" Smith and Kathy "Punkin" Smith.
Matt was a lover of the outdoors. You could always find him "rippin' lips" (fishing), hunting or sitting out by a fire listening to music. His special place was at the lake or near water. He spent his life being a carpenter, his knowledge of that trade was unmatched. He was a people person and so kind. The size of his heart matched his body, he was such a gentle giant. He had a special way with words to put people's minds at ease during their time of need or burden. The amount of people that Matt's kind words were calming to is innumerable. He always wanted to encourage everyone. He always said there are people in worse situations than me, don't worry about me, I'm a winner either way, if I go or if I stay.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Clyde Monroe Smith and Eliza Jane (Wade) Smith and James Robert Parker and Linda Vearl (Stone) Parker; and uncle, David Allen Parker.
He is survived by his loving wife, of 20 years, Lacey (Lukowicz) Smith; daughter, Shelby Smith; son, Hunter Smith, two of the things in life that he was most proud of; father, Walter "Paul" Smith; mother, Kathy Ann (Parker) "Punkin" Smith; sister, Dr. Megan Kay Smith (Ian, Nikolai and Natalya); uncle, Charlie Bird; aunts, Robin (Parker) Bird and Julie Frady; great uncles, Steve Parker, Dwight Parker and Nat Wade; great aunts, Jeanne Parker, Lydia Parker, Loretta Welch, Nancy Durbin and Alice Wade; great-great-great-aunt, Dolly Taylor; cousins, who were raised like siblings, Arie "AJ", Casey and Charlee (Noah) Bird; second-cousins, Mahala, Madilyn, Makenzee and Nalayah Bird; in-laws, John Lukowicz Jr. and Cyndi; mother-in-law, Maryann Lukowicz, whom he had a special relationship with; special auntie, Amy Pete-Ochoa; and many other family members and special friends.
The family held a viewing at Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City, Monday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral was held Tuesday, September 17, at Crisp Funeral Home, at 1 pm. There was a graveside burial following, at Towstring Cemetery.
Pallbearers were, Hunter Smith, Arie "AJ" Bird, Charlie Bird, Josh Long, RL Mathews, Chris Murphy, Jeremy Blankenship and George Burgess. Honorary pallbearer was Christopher Crutchfield.
Matt will be greatly missed and forever remembered by all of us.