Carl Smith, Sr.

Carl Edwin Smith, Sr., 89, passed away early Monday evening at home surrounded by his family & some friends within minutes of his barbershop quartet singing “God Be with You Til’ We Meet Again.”  Carl was born at his parent’s home at Little/Catrons Creek on June 23, 1927.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Lou Hagy Smith, their son, Carl Edwin Smith, Jr., M.D. (Stephanie Delong Smith, granddaughters Laura Eden Smith, 17, Eliza Devanie Smith, 11, & Vivian Mae Smith, 4 all of Harlan, KY.   He is also survived by his only sibling, Creed Fulton Smith, II, 92 (Bonnie) of Indian Path, NC and their 4 children:  Creed III, Morganton, NC, Ronnie (Betsie), Summerville, SC [Kristynn Elizabeth Smith-Mastilonne, Ronnie Jr. & Megan Elizabeth Smith-Moore], Michael Anthony (Dianna), Indian Path, NC, [Nicole Smith & Justin Anthony Smith] and Susan Rozanne Smith-Doss, Charlotte, NC [children: Casey Marie Doss, Hannah Doss].

He was preceded in death by his parents Creed Fulton Smith, Sr. and Ollie Lucille Eager-Smith.

Carl attended Beech Grove Elementary, one-room schoolhouse in Mary Alice, KY, Yancey Elementary School, & was the valedictorian of  Hall High School’s Class of 1944.  His 4 years of college (Georgia Tech & UK) was interrupted by WWII, enlisting in the U.S. Navy, active duty 07/03/1945 - 07/26/1946, Seaman 1st Class 61st  & 129th  Engineer Battalion.   He became a pilot in the early 1950s.

He was the Auto Mechanics Instructor at the Harlan Vocational School thru 1966, retiring as the

Coordinator, Corbin VS in 1975.  He was over the Harlan County School’s bus fleet in the 1950s; in the 1960s he worked Saturdays as a mechanic at Harlan Automotive with Paul Short.   In 1975 under his father’s tutelage became a salesman at Ky Mine Supply Co. retiring in 1996.  He was a Jack of all trades including being his son’s office & home repairman.

He and his wife were members of the Harlan Baptist Church & choir; he sang in male quartets at funerals in the 1950s & 1960s)           .  He had been the Bass of the Harlan Barbershop Quartet’s since 1995, his last performance with them was from his hospital bed at HARH earlier this month.  For many years he was “Nathaniel” in the Live Dramatization of Lenonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper 1990s – 2004.

He religiously listened to Cawood Ledford announce UK football and basketball games.  He was a member of a Harlan Country Club winning their President’s Tournament on 2 occasions.  He was preceded in death by most of his golfing buddies including “Bucket” LeQuire, Doug Lee, Louie Green, Roy Pope, Tommy Ward, & Dr. Jerry Bryson.

His hobbies included Victory Gardens, badminton, weightlifting, ping-pong and the challenge of finding the solution for household repairs & small engine repairs.  He was was a board member of Kentucky Mine Supply Company.

Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Anderson & Laws Funeral Home, 114 S. 3rd Street:   Visitation Saturday 11:30 AM until the Funeral hour of 1:00 PM with Rev. Tim Mills officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery Military Rites will be observed by the Harlan Honor Guard.  Pallbearers will be Dr. Carl Smith, Jr, Warren DeLong, Terry Harris, Dr. Fred Howard, George Riley Pope, Luther Minor, Rodney Wilson, and Mark Bushnell.  Honorary Pallbearers will be the Board of Directors and Staff of Kentucky Mine Supply Co.

In lieu of flowers contributions to the Harlan Boys Choir, 420 E. Central Street, Harlan, KY 40831, the Harlan Musettes, PO Box 1711, Harlan, KY 40831 or the Harlan Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School, PO Box 883, Harlan, KY 40831 would be appreciated.

Please feel free to leave a memory or photo at www.aljfh.com.  Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Smith Family.