Richard Smith, Sr.

Mr. Richard "Rick" Smith, Sr., age 58, of Elon, NC, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at his home after a lengthy illness. Rick was born on March 16, 1957 in Guilford County to Orion and Juanita Smith. He graduated from Tuscola High School in Waynesville, NC. He was a proud and devoted member of the Greensboro Police Department for 26 years before retiring in 2007. Rick loved riding motorcycles and was an active member of the Blue Knights of North Carolina. He was an artist, musician, patriot, and dedicated son, husband, and father. Though he spent the majority of his life in the Piedmont, his heart was always in the North Carolina mountains. He was a lifelong member of McLeansville Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and volunteered with the youth group. He will be remembered for his humor, the love he had for his friends and family, and his culinary expertise. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 33 years, Denise Manuel Smith of the home; his daughter, Kelly Smith of Durham; his two sons, Wayne Smith and his wife, Whitney, of Durham and Kyle Smith and his wife, Taylor, of Gibsonville; granddaughter, Annistyn Smith; and his father, Orion Lee Smith of Greensboro. He was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Kelly Smith and a brother, Doug Smith. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, July 11, 2015 at McLeansville Baptist Church by Rev. Jack Lemons. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 - 1:45 PM Saturday prior to the service and other times at the residence. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the account of Richard W. Smith, Sr. at Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215. Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Smith family and you may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.