Talmadge Smith, Jr.

Talmadge Dewitt "Dee" Smith, Jr., 87, of Greenville, SC, died Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital. Born December 7, 1925, in Union County, SC, he was the son of the late Talmadge D. Smith and Emma Nichols Smith. Dee was a 1942 graduate of Union High School. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps on his eighteenth birthday and served with the Fourth Marine Division in the Pacific Theatre. He was in the invasion of Iwo Jima and received the Purple Heart for wounds incurred there. He is listed among the recipients of the Purple Heart in the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New York. He was a life member of the Fourth Marine Division Association and also served in the Marine Corps Reserves and the National Guard. Following his discharge from service, he worked for Eagle Grocery Company in Union. He was then employed by Deering Milliken and worked from industrial engineer to management in the following locations: Columbus, NC, Lisbon Center, ME, Alma, GA, Union, Kingstree, Honea Path, and Greenville, SC. Following a time as manager of the Simpsonville Plant, Simpsonville, SC, he joined the sales staff of ABCO Industries, Roebuck, SC, where he worked until his retirement in 2002. A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Greenville, he served as a former member of the Administrative Board, Methodist Men, and the Older Adult Ministries. As a youth, he was active in Scouting. He played baseball in the old Eastern Carolina League for Excelsior Mill, enjoyed basketball, and coached Little League baseball. In addition to being an avid golfer, he enjoyed all types of sports. He was a past president of the Kingstree Kiwanis Club and a charter member of the Simpsonville Kiwanis Club. He was also a former member of the Union Masonic Lodge, a member of the Landrum Masonic Lodge for 50 plus years, and a member of the Hejaz Shrine Temple in Greenville. Surviving is his beloved wife of 65 years, Jean Hodge Smith; a brother, J. Harold Smith and his wife, Margaret; and a number of loving nieces, nephews, and extended family. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by two sisters, Annabel Smith Alverson and Jennie Smith Liner; a brother-in-law, James Liner; and sister-in-law, Sarah B. Smith. Visitation will be 12:30-1:45 PM Saturday, August 3, 2013, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. Nelson Stokes, the Rev. Michelle Cockcroft, the Rev. Cathy Jones, and the Rev. P. Lyn Pace. Burial will be in Pacolet Memorial Gardens, 141 Memorial Drive, Pacolet, SC 29372. Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7 Shannon Drive, Greenville, SC 29615; Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; or Vista Care Hospice, 15 Brendan Way, Greenville, SC 29615. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Talmadge Dewitt "Dee" Smith, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.