Jesse C. Smith | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Mr. Jesse Cornelius Smith Jr., age 96, a resident of 915 Swan Point Reef Rd., Washington, died Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Ridgewood Manor.

    A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 24, 2015 at Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Washington. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 pm on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory.

    Jesse was born in Black Jack, N.C. on December 20, 1918 to the late Jesse C. Smith and Madeline Maybelle Smith. While stationed in Philadelphia, Pa., he met the love of his life, Marie T. Smith, and they married on March 22, 1941, having 74 wonderful years together until her passing on April 20, 2015. Jesse served in the United States Navy for 10 years prior to and during World War II, deploying multiple times to the European Theatre and participating in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. After the war, he and Marie moved to Chicago, Illinois where he was an executive at the R. Cooper Jr. Company. In retirement Jesse and Marie returned to Washington, where they built their dream home on the beautiful Pamlico River. He thoroughly enjoyed gardening, golfing and his many friends in Washington.

    Most of all he loved the visits of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    He is survived by four children Theresa Harron of Atlanta, Ga., Kathleen Wondergem of Bradenton Fla., Jesse C. Smith III of Denver, CO, and Greg Smith and wife Terry formally of Washington; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three brothers Marvin Smith of Washington and Rufus Smith of Chocowinity; and a sister Elizabeth Deal of Winston-Salem.

    In addition to his wife and his parents he is preceded in death by three brothers: Linwood Smith, Alfred Smith and John Smith.

    Condolences may be made to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Smith family.