Joseph E. "Ed" Smith

Joseph E. “Ed” Smith, Sr., 91, died June 11, 2019, at the Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina, while surrounded by family.Born September 23, 1927, in Grays, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Walter Earl Smith, Sr. and Lillie Lee Thomas. Ed served in the United States Army for six years and was stationed in Panama.He earned an Associate's Degree in Business at Armstrong College in 1954.After working with several insurance companies, he established his own agency in 1965, Ed Smith Insurance Agency, Inc.His insurance career totaled 62 years. Ed had many accomplishments.He was one of the first recipients in South Carolina to receive the distinguished designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU).He was a founding member and past President of the South Carolina Automobile Insurance Agents Association.He was a member and past President of both the state and local chapters of the South Carolina Life Underwriters Association, as well as member and past President of the Palmetto Investment Club.He was also a long-time member and past President of the Florence Optimist Club.Ed was a faithful member of Mizpah Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School.He was a Shriner, member of Omar Temple in Florence, South Carolina.He also served as member and Past Master of Stafford Masonic Lodge #216 in Furman, South Carolina.He was awarded his 60-year pin in 2014. His hobbies included quail hunting, fishing, and raising Dachshunds. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary Tuten Smith; a brother, W.E. Smith; sisters, Rose Wada, Bessie (JaDon) Thomas; his children, Ginger (Billy) McLeod of Florence, Joseph E. “Joey” (Pam) Smith, Jr., of Mobile, Alabama, Michael (Melanie) Smith of Florence; his grandchildren, Will (Ashlee) McLeod, Amber (Matt) Glaz, Kellie (Ray) Brown, April Smith, Jamie (Jebb) McMillan, Kody (Morgan) Wiggins, Hannah Smith, Les Smith; and his great-grandchildren, Roston, Peyton, Riley, Pryce, Haedyn, Easton, Bayleigh, Piper, Scarlett, Gray, and Smith.He was predeceased by a brother, Billy Smith, and sister, June Stalvey. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.Funeral services will be held at Mizpah Baptist Church on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.Interment will take place at Mizpah Baptist Cemetery 2230 North Williston Road, Florence South Carolina 29506. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Mizpah Baptist Cemetery Maintenance Fund 233 North Price Road, Florence, South Carolina 29506. The family wishes to thank the McLeod Hospice House, Dr. Vipul Shah, the nursing staff and all of his many caregivers. A special thanks to Sandra A. Miller and Marvin Godbolt.