Archie Leak Smith | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: July 17, 1916, Died: May 16, 2014

    Archie Leak Smith, age 97, died May 16, 2014 at Clapp's Convalescent Nursing Home.

    Mr. Smith was born July 17, 1916 in Maxton, North Carolina, son of the late Thomas Leak Smith and Mamie McCallum Smith. He was a graduate of Presbyterian Junior College in Maxton, North Carolina; Wake Forest College, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and Wake Forest School of Law, where he served as Vice President. After law school, he moved to Raleigh where he worked as a Probation Officer. In 1942 he began his career in the U. S. Navy, attending Midshipman's Schools at the University of Notre Dame and Columbia University in New York City. He served as an Assistant Gunnery Officer and Damage Control Officer on the USS Sims, a Destroyer Escort, in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and was the recipient of the Silver Star Medal. After 32 years in the US Naval Reserves, he retired with the rank of Captain.

    He practiced law from 1945-1982 in Asheboro, where he also served as City Attorney. He was a member of the North Carolina Bar Association. He served on many local boards in Asheboro including Director and President of Randolph Hospital, President of Asheboro Rotary Club, Director and Chairman of the Board of Wachovia Bank, and Commander of American Legion Post 45. Mr. Smith was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was a loyal member of the Wake Forest University Deacon Club, attending football and basketball games until he was 96 years old.

    Mr. Smith was preceded in death in 1986 by his first wife of 44 years, Eleanor Mayes Smith; his sister Mary McCallum Smith of Maxton; and brother, Thomas Lynwood Smith, of High Point. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Dorothy Henry Smith; his son, Archie L. Smith, Jr. and wife, Linda of Asheboro; daughter, Mary Brent Wright and husband, Bob of Raleigh; and son, Keith Mayes Smith and wife, LuAnn of Washington, NC.; six grandchildren, Michael Smith and wife, Jennifer and Scott Smith and wife, Megan of Asheboro; Brent Wright and wife, Wendy and Rob Wright and wife, Parker of Raleigh; Sara Beth Belton and husband Joey of Manteo, Ainsley Tayloe and husband, Thomas of Beaufort, SC; 11 great grandchildren; step-children, Les Henry and wife, Janet and their family of Asheboro; Terre Henry of Wilmington; and Doug Henry and his family of Farmville, NC.

    A Memorial service will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 2:00 P. M. at First Presbyterian Church, 420 Walker Avenue, Asheboro with Pastor Brian Gauff, Pastor Connie Weaver and Rev. Art Ross officiating. A visitation with the family will follow the service.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Randolph Hospital Community Health Foundation, 364 White Oak Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 or First Presbyterian Church of Asheboro, 420 Walker Avenue, Asheboro, NC 27203.

    Please share your remembrances and condolences with the family at: www.pughfuneralhome.com.