Rev. Dr. J. T. "Tommy" Smith

Angier, NC:  Rev. Dr. John Thomas “Tommy” Smith, age 82, died on Thursday, April 30, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Funeral services will be 3:00PM Sunday, May 3, 2015, at Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Coats. Officiating will be Revs. J. Edward Morrison and Tom Newman.             Rev. Smith was born September 27, 1932 in Orange County to the late Ralph L. and Grace Canada Smith.  He was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Jones; and brothers, Steve Smith, Billy Smith, and Ralph Smith, Jr.             An ordained United Methodist minister, he served churches in the North Carolina Annual Conference for over 50 years and served as the Superintendent of the Fayetteville, Sanford, and Raleigh Districts. He attended Southeastern Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and graduated from Louisburg College and Atlantic Christian College. He served on the Board of Directors of Louisburg College and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Methodist University.  Tommy was a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He is also the author of two books: A devotional book titled Fires to Warm By, and Love Drops Falling, a book of poetry.             He is survived by his wife, Judy Harrell Smith; their two sons, Thomas Smith and wife, Melanie Mabrey, and Paul Smith and wife, Kim Smith, all of Raleigh; and granddaughter, Dani Wilburn.             Family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Coats Sunday from 1:00PM to 2:45PM prior to the service.             In lieu of flowers, donations to Louisburg College, 501 N. Main Street, Louisburg, NC  27549 and Methodist University, 5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC  28311 would be appreciated.