Charles Mack “Pup” Smith

Published 4:17 pm Monday, July 15, 2019

Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.”
Charles Mack “Pup” Smith, 81, of Elizabethton, went Home to be with His Lord on Saturday morning, July 13, 2019, from the Johnson City Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., to the late Neal and Cassie Smith and preceded in death by one brother, Ross Smith.
Charles graduated from Unaka High School, Class of 1956, and attended Milligan College. He served his country in the United States Army. He was employed for 40 years at Raytheon Missile Systems in Bristol as a Senior Industrial Engineer.
He was a very faithful member of New Liberty Free Will Baptist Church serving as a Trustee for over 50 years during which times he led several church building projects. He was the President of Blevins Cemetery for over 30 years.
Pup has so many friends because he never met a stranger. He always initiated the conversation and was genuinely interested in others more than himself. Whether Bojangles, Walmart, or riding his bicycle up the highway, he always found time to stop, talk, and say something encouraging or funny to everyone who crossed his path. His little burgundy truck would often block the road when he stopped to talk to his many friends and neighbors.
Pup’s greatest success and first priority besides his faith was his family. He was always very involved in their lives creating countless memories and wonderful stories for them to cherish. His sense of humor and youthful spirit kept his family and friends laughing and encouraged. Pup lived a legacy by example of how to be a father and grandfather and was in the background of every major event involving his children and grandchildren. Pup showed us how to live out a legacy of faith, family, and fun!
Pup was quick to recognize his blessings and always said there was no place better than Stoney Creek. He especially loved spending time on the farm and enjoyed watching his family spend time together there. God blessed Pup to live out his life exactly as he wished by allowing him to do what he loved and spend his last days with his family, church family, and riding on his red Massey-Ferguson tractor.
Pup was an incredible husband to his loving wife of 59-1/2 years, Vera Hardin Smith. He was the proud father of two daughters and sons-in-law, Vickie and Kenny Greer, and Gina and Randy Johnson.
Pup’s pride and joy was his five grandchildren, Wes Greer and wife Mandy, Aaron Greer and wife Julie, Megan Harsh and husband Lance, Natalie Wright and husband Jeremy, and Andy Johnson and fiancée Sydney Hayes.
Pup was blessed to enjoy, love, and spoil his great-grandchildren, Riley Greer, Hadley Greer, Neil Harsh, William Greer and Lucas Wright.
He is survived by two sisters, Kathleen White and Floy Grindstaff and husband Dean; two brothers, Billy Smith and Lynn Smith and wife Lisa; sisters-in-law, Georgia Ellis and Karen Hardin; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Hardin and wife Carol, and David “Doug” Hardin and wife Danette. Several nieces, nephews and cousins survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the incredible life of Charles Mack “Pup” Smith will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at New Liberty Free Will Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Johnson, Pastor Bill Greer and Pastor Ray Colbaugh officiating. Singing and music will be provided by his children and grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at New Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Blevins Cemetery on Liberty Hollow Road with Pastor Nick Colbaugh officiating. Active pallbearers will be Wes Greer, Aaron Greer, Andy Johnson, Riley Greer, Lance Harsh, Jeremy Wright and special neighbor, Frank Peters. Family and friends will assemble at Memorial Funeral Chapel at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Pup’s Church Family, Trustees, and Deacons at New Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, Church Family at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, Trustees of Blevins Cemetery, Shona Lowe, Mike McCloud, Bill Richardson, Leonard Lewis, Curt and Melinda Gentry, Darrell Byrd, Randy Pearce, Steve Harsh, Eric Wright, Jerry Hayes, Randy Greear, Randy Hardin, A.D. “Sonny” Fletcher, Unaka High School, Class of 1956, former co-workers and his good neighbors. Pallbearers and those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Memorial Funeral Chapel at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Michael Grosserode and staff, Dr. Vipulkumar Brahmbhatt, Dr. Selma Kominek, the Carter County Rescue Squad, the Emergency Room staff, the Critical Care Services, and ICU 2700 staff at the Johnson City Medical Center. The family also appreciates the many visits, contacts, food, and prayers from his many friends and neighbors. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to New Liberty Free Will Baptist Youth Fund, c/o Kelly Jones, 113 Peters Hollow Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or the Blevins Cemetery Fund, c/o Darlene Hardin, P.O. Box 406, Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Memorial Funeral Chapel of Elizabethton is in charge of the arrangements.