Joseph Earl "Joe" Smith, Jr.

Joseph Earl “Joe” Smith, Jr., 79, of Belhaven, formerly of Raleigh,  passed away, Thursday morning, April 29, 2021 at his son’s home surrounded by his family. He was born and raised in Raleigh to the late Joseph Earl Smith and Joyce Faith Benson Smith. Mr. Smith graduated from Broughton High School in 1960 and after completing high school joined the family business, Smith Plumbing & Heating. He faithfully served six years in the National Guard. Joe married his 8th-grade sweetheart on December 28, 1963 and after the many years of working and raising their beautiful family, they retired to the place he grew up hunting and fishing, Belhaven, NC.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julia Davis Smith; sons, Kemper Battle Smith(Christy Sekelsky) of Wake Forest and Joseph C. “Jody”  Smith(Victoria Dunstone) of Youngsville; grandchildren, Shelby Greer Smith of Wake Forest and Hannah Rae Smith of Youngsville; sisters, Candy Smith King(W.A. King) of Raleigh and Sue Smith Cheek(Dan Cheek) of Garner; brothers, Phillip Benson Smith(Sudie Smith) of Belhaven and Adam Lee Smith of Raleigh; sister-in-law, Jane Smith of Wake Forest; brother-in-law, James C. Davis of Clayton; several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, George Michael Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening, May 4, 2021 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919)556-7400

www.cswfuneralhome.com