Kevin Gray Smith

Kevin Gray Smith, age 59 of Glenville NC, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023. He was born on May 17, 1963, in Jackson County, to Desmond Gray Smith Jr.  and Dorothy Sue Bentley Smith.

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 39 years, Susan (Alexander); children, Rebecca (Matthew) Perry, Katherine (Nicholas) Pollock, Jonathan Smith; siblings, Kenny (Peggy) Smith, Desmond Jr. (Anna) Smith, Teresa (Alan) Julian; grandchildren, Griffin, Dean, Lydia, Daelia; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father. 

Kevin grew up in Pickens, South Carolina, and attended Pickens High School. After graduating high school, Kevin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he was a Sergeant, and served 4 years between an aircraft carrier and Marine Corps Air Station New River. After his Marine Corps career, he began his lifelong career in the forklift industry. Susan and Kevin ran their own business for fifteen years. During this time, he obtained his Bachelor's degree and Masters (with honors) degree in business administration from Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina, and was an adjunct professor in history and business administration at Indiana Wesleyan University in Louisville Kentucky. Everyone who knew Kevin knew he had a love for history, teaching and inspiring others to be their best self.  Kevin was also passionate about music.  He loved playing the guitar and sitting on the porch picking with his best friends.  Kevin had a heart for God, and strove to share God’s love with all those that he came in contact with.  While we are heart broken with the loss of this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, we know God has gained an angel.  

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00PM on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Hamburg Baptist Church, 8359 Highway 107, Cullowhee NC., with a Funeral Service at 2:00PM. Rev. Dr. John Adams and Rev. Jeremy Queen, and officiating. Interment will follow at Hamburg Cemetery, NC Rt. 107, Glenville NC.