WILMINGTON — Simuel ‘Sammy’ Burney Smith, Jr. of Wilmington, NC passed away on Friday, January 26th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on July 13, 1948 in Clinton, NC to the late Simuel Burney Smith and Maggie Tedder Smith.
Sammy is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Janice Smith; son Christopher Burney Smith (Kristen); three grandchildren Caleb, Jesse, and Frannie; brother Thomas Smith (Ann), sisters Dorothy Weir, Joyce Ezzell (Linwood), Shirley Cherry; fifteen nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by brothers Jimmy, Bobby and Billy Smith, sisters Jeannie May Jones and Lila May Smith; niece Pam Frederick, and nephew Jason Cherry.
Sammy began his professional life farming for his family. He also worked for JP Stevens as a machinist, and then worked for GE Nuclear and Aircraft for 32 years in several capacities. Throughout, Sammy was a volunteer firefighter for the Penderlea and Ogden fire departments. He was a man of great faith and an ordained Deacon. Sammy loved the outdoors and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and was a skilled survivalist. Sammy enjoyed working in his garden and growing his own delicious fruits and vegetables to share with his family and friends. He took great pride in keeping a beautiful yard. Sammy could fix anything he put his hands on. His greatest joy was his family; in particular his grandchildren. He never missed a baseball game, cross country meets, or horse shows. Every spring and summer you could find Sammy cutting grass with one of his grandchildren riding on his John Deere tractor with him. To all who knew him, we would like you to remember his love of family and God.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 1 at noon at Freedom Baptist Church (802 N. College Road), with a service to follow at 1 p.m.
Interment will immediately follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park (1311 Shipyard Blvd).
Flowers may be sent to Freedom Baptist Church, or a donation made in Sammy’s memory to the American Heart Association.
