John Louis Smith | Eastern NC Now

   John Louis Smith, 71, died Saturday, May 19, 2012. Services will be held, Tuesday at 3 p.m. at his home.

   Pastor Chris Hux will officiate. The family will receive friends at his home after the funeral.

   John, the son of the late John E Smith and Nora Eloise Smith of Proctorville, Ohio, graduated from Burgaw High School. From the early age of 10, he began working as a caddy and grew to become Reserve Life’s top insurance agent in the country. He then opened his own insurance company and pioneered the development and sales of long-term-care insurance. In all, John enjoyed a successful 42 years in the insurance industry.

   In 2001, he retired and moved from Worthington, Ohio, to Woodstock Point, to live at his dream home and enjoy golfing and fishing with his friends and family. Loving sports and people, he also owned and operated Southern Cheers Sports Bar & Grill. John was a member of Athens Chapel Church of Christ.

   He is survived by his daughters, Cheri (Bob) Newton of Tucson, Ariz., Kristin Smith of Bath; and one son, Michael (Kelly) Smith of Fredericktown, Ohio. His grandchildren are Dirk, Garrett and Jake Newton and Branden and Tierany Smith.

   He had one sister, Becky Thorpe of Greenville. His brothers were Fred Smith of Columbus, Ohio, and Mike Smith of Proctorville, Ohio.

   Memorial contributions may be made to your local Stroke Foundation or Athens Chapel Church of Christ in Bath.

   Arrangements are by Hillside Funeral Service.