Mr. Gerald M. "Jerry" Smith

Gerald Martin (Jerry) Smith died peacefully at his home in Bishopville, South Carolina, on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Jerry was one of two sons born to the late Robert (Bob) Smith and Juanita (Tag) Smith. Jerry milked cows on the family dairy farm for many years growing up and then went into the car business with his father at Bob Smith Chevrolet GMC in Bishopville. Jerry was a national, award winning salesman during his career in the car business and many families in this area were lifelong customers. He retired from the car business in the early 2000’s. Through the years, Jerry enjoyed building and racing cars with Smith Brothers Racing at Sumter Speedway, raising Devon cows at their Devonshire Farm in Ashwood, fishing anywhere and anytime he could, camping with his wife Lori all over the southeast and beyond, growing vegetables, cooking, and for many years, enjoying flying remote control airplanes. If you knew Jerry or you met him at some point in his life, you probably saw a unique necklace he wore. It was a rustic nail hanging on a cord and when he was asked what it was, he said it was his key to heaven. When asked further, he said in response that it represented the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for his sins. This was a conversation Jerry had with countless people over the years hoping to start further conversations about Jesus. Jerry loved his years at Memorial Chapel in Ashwood where he served on the Governing Board, taught Sunday school, served as the Men’s Ministries Director, worked with Prison Ministries, as well as many other ministries in the church. Survivors include his spouse of 58 years, Lori Mohr Smith, his son Robbie H. Smith, sister-in-law Jewel S. Smith, grandson Robert M. Smith (Amanda), granddaughter Kaylan F. Smith, great-grandchildren Elliott H. Smith, Michael Seeby, Arabella Driggers, and Vera Capps. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and father, Robert (Bob) and Juanita (Tag) Smith, his daughter Gerri Lynn S. Mackert, and his brother Robert Wayne Smith. Visitation will be held at Memorial Chapel, 2509 Green Lane, Bishopville, South Carolina, on Thursday, December 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a funeral service will be held at Memorial Chapel on Friday, December 29, at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Memorial Chapel.

Tributes

Mr. Gerald M. "Jerry" Smith

March 24, 1948 - December 26, 2023