Obituary of Herbert Smith

Herbert Smith WEST COLUMBIA: Our blessed Lord called Herbert "Smitty" Smith home on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. He was born on September 23, 1920 in Roderfield, West Virginia, one of three sons and seven daughters to Noah William and Laura Harman Smith. He is survived by one sister, Marie Robertson of Columbus, Ohio. Herbert is also survived by his loving and devoted wife of 67 years - Ida Elledge Smith "Jackie"; five children and their spouses - Barbara and Dan Bolin; Kathy and James DuBose, Randy and Karen Smith, Sue and Ray Marr, Greg and Stacey Smith; 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved grandson Joseph Drew Smith in 1997. Herbert was a member of Cayce United Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class where he enjoyed hearing the Lord's word and the fellowship of other believers. He had attended Cardiac Rehab at Palmetto Health Richland for the last 17 years, making many friends and was a Charter member of the Palmetto Marine Corps League. He loved to fish - especially for crappie and rockfish. To him - the only thing better than catching them was eating them. Herbert received his education from the public schools in West Virginia. He worked as a coal miner in West Virginia; had his own auto repair shop in several locations, received his Technical Education certificate and taught automotive mechanics through the Vocational Rehabilitation program in the SC Department of Corrections. Aside from his first love - Jackie - his next love was the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in the Marines two days following his 18th birthday in 1938. He trained at Quantico, Va., Camp LeJeune, NC, Parris Island, SC, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Culebra, Puerto Rico. Considered a member of the "Old Breed" - he was with the First Marine Division in the assault, capture and defense of the island of Guadalcanal. Smitty and the First Marines participated in this offensive against the Japanese in World War II. He went on to fight in other campaigns: Cape Gloucester and New Guinea in the South Pacific. He returned stateside in July 1944 to marry the love of his life. Herbert was an unselfish man - stating that he didn't need much to make him happy. He leaves a legacy of love of country, family, our Lord - and THE MARINES. He shared all he had with whoever might have a need - be it his tender spirit, a word of wisdom or advice - and his tools! The family would like to thank the staff at Palmetto Health Heart Hospital for their unselfish and continued care: especially Dr. Wade Collins, Dr. Reid Tribble, Dr. Shawn Chillag, Dr. Elizabeth Edwards and Dr. Christina Christ as well as the staff on the 11th floor Hospice and staff at Palmetto Health Richland who helped make his last days comfortable. A celebration of his life will be held at Cayce United Methodist Church, Cayce, SC at 10:00 am, Saturday, July 30, 2011 . Interment will follow the services at Woodridge Memorial Park, Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC. Visitation will be at Thompson Funeral Home, Augusta Highway, Lexington, SC on Friday, July 29 from 6-8 pm. Pallbearers will be his eight grandsons. The Friendship Sunday School Class at CUMC will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or to Cayce United Methodist Church, 1600 12th Street, Cayce, SC 29033. Rest, Daddy. We will miss you so. Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com