Jesse Smith

Jesse "Jake" Edward Smith, 88, of Spartanburg, died Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at National Health Care in Charleston. Born in 1922, in Pauline, he was the son of the late Jesse Stroble and Irene Willis Smith. Jake was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps having served in WWII. He was the former owner of Mayfield Carpet Cleaners. He was one of the founding members of the Spartanburg Optimist Club and served as its president. He was also a Charter Member of Morningside Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, including a two-year term as chairman. He served as superintendent of the Junior Department for many years and also worked with the youth of the Intermediate Department. Survivors include his wife, Helen Knox Smith; four sons, Michael Edward Smith and his wife Alice of Newmarket, NH; William "Randy" Randolph Smith and his wife Donna of Dallas, TX; Timothy Knox Smith and his wife Martha of Charleston, SC; and Kevin Jesse Smith and his wife Jane of Fort Worth, TX; eleven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 12:30-1:30 PM Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM in the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Kirk H. Neely. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 897 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. His compassion, devotion, sense of humor and lessons in hard work will be missed. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jesse "Jake" Edward Smith please visit our Sympathy Store.