Obituary of David Carl Smith

It is with sadness and broken hearts that the family of David Carl Smith announce his passing.  David will be greatly missed by his family, friends, neighbors, his church, work associates, his dogs Buddy and Little Bear and all who knew his kind and generous heart.

David was born on February 17, 1962, in Washington DC and was adopted by his loving parents Carl Richard Smith and Margaret Parker Smith.  His family was complete when his sister Melinda was adopted the following year. Only 11 months apart they quickly became best friends.  David grew up an Army brat which meant not only a disciplined home, but he moved frequently.  David lived in Virginia, Georgia, Puerto Rico, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Colorado and eventually Columbia, South Carolina.

David graduated from Richland Northeast High School in 1980 and attended The University of SC.  David was athletic and swam on Rockbridge swim team and AAU and also played for Rockbridge in the Junior Tennis league for many years.  For both sports they were frequently the city champions.  David loved to help others, and this led him to open his own business, Homewrappers, a roofing, siding and window company.  For more than 25 years he worked tirelessly serving his community by running his company single-handedly and ensuring fair prices and quality work.  He loved spending time at Edisto Beach each summer with his family & friends and was always up for a game of golf with his buddy Dane.  He quietly gave to anyone without expectations of anything in return.  “Pay it forward”, he would say.  He was a loving and kind man who never said a bad word about anyone.   He never met a dog he didn’t like, and he never met a dog that didn’t love him.  Always armed with a box of treats and ready to hand them out.  His wife Quenna and his daughter, Anna Lee, were the best part of his heart.  He loved them unconditionally.  He was especially proud of his daughter and told everyone he met about her.  He would do anything for her, she only had to ask.  

David served his church through prayer, presence, gifts and most importantly his acts of service.  He served as SPRC chair at Wesley Memorial UMC, served on church council and maintained the church grounds by mowing grass, trimming hedges, painting and every small repair in between.  He volunteered with the children’s ministry through VBS and was the best games leader you have ever seen.  He also volunteered with the Pumpkin Patch ministry helping unload thousands of pumpkins each year and leading groups of kindergartners through the patch on their annual field trips.  He loved singing and playing drums with the church praise band at WMUMC and gathering with the men's group “Men Cook with Fire”.   His family joined Shandon United Methodist Church in 2012 where David quickly found ways to serve.  He occasionally would teach his Sunday school class and he loved his time volunteering with the MYF Missions trip to Hollywood, SC.  He joyfully shared his knowledge of roofing with our youth and youth leaders.  Teaching our youth how to replace a roof and be safe while doing it.  It was the little things like giving out gloves to the kids that David is remembered for.  He looked forward to returning next summer and planned to bring gloves and safety glasses for all.

David leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Quenna Jenkinson Smith and daughter, Anna Lee Elizabeth Smith (18).  His father, Carl Smith (predeceased); his mother, Margaret Smith, his sister, Melinda (Bob) Sarvis, Father-in-law, Boyd Jenkinson (predeceased), mother-in-law, Dixie Jenkinson, brother-in-law, Mitch (Susan) Jenkinson, sister-in-law, Gigi (Steve) Petrossian, and brother-in-law, Victor (Ellan) Jenkinson.  Many nieces and nephews, goddaughter, Quenna Richburg, extended family, friends and his best friends, Dane (Gary) Holst whom he loved like a brother.  Robert (Karen - his birthday twin) Roof whom he loved like a brother.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Shandon United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC at 2:00pm followed by a reception in Wesley Hall.

David loved music and loved it loud.  One of his favorites to sing was “I am a Friend of God”.  When you listen to this song, turn the volume up, think of David and send him a quiet hello.  

David, you were loved more than you will ever know, and you will be missed.