Command Sergeant Major Thomas Smith

Mr. Thomas Edward Smith, affectionately known by all as “Thomas Ed”, age 79, of Poplar Street, Walterboro, entered into rest Tuesday afternoon, November 5, 2013, at the Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. He was the husband of the late Mrs. Eurelle Benton Smith.

Funeral services will be conducted 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, November 8, 2013, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. Interment with military honors will follow in Live Oak Cemetery, South Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro.

Born June 29, 1934, a native and lifelong resident of Colleton County, he was a son of the late Edward Campbell Smith, Jr. and the late Dorothy Crosby Smith. He served his country faithfully in the South Carolina National Guard which established Thomas Ed as a well-known icon in the Walterboro community because of his service and dedication. After many years of service he retired from the National Guard with the distinguished rank of Command Sergeant Major. He was the founder of Smith’s Backhoe Service in Walterboro, a business he cultivated and ran with great dedication and a strong work ethic for over forty years. He was a member of the Walterboro Church of God where he was active in many aspects of the church’s work. He was instrumental in the building of the church’s new sanctuary on Jefferies Highway and also had served as chairman of the Men’s Fellowship. He will be fondly remembered for his always joking character that made Thomas Ed loved by many and also for his avid love of hunting.

Surviving are: a son, Thomas Lynn Smith and his wife Patricia of Walterboro; five grandchildren, Drena Smith Hazel, Elizabeth R. Harrison, Steven P. Harrison, Renea Padgett, and Shidawn Carter; six great grandchildren, Jason Herndon, Sterling Padgett, Zachery Padgett, Diego Carter, Deianeira Carter, and Hadley Harrison; and three great great grandchildren, Isabelle Padgett, Hunter Sineath, and Noah Roscoe. He is also survived by a son-in-law, Steve Harrison of Walterboro; a niece, Lisa S. Ackerman; and a nephew, Richard A. Smith. He was preceded in death by two daughters; Robin Smith Harrison and Sandra Jean Jervis; two brothers, Randall A. Smith and Bobby Joe Smith; and a great grandchild, Scarlet Herndon.

For those that desire, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence as well as memorable recollections of Thomas Ed may be shared with the family by visiting our online registry at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

The family will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lynn Smith, 210 Ireland Hills Drive in the Forest Hills Subdivision of Walterboro.

Family and friends are invited to call from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock this Thursday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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