DECEMBER 3, 1938 – AUGUST 22, 2011

ANDERSON, SC – Willis Melvin Smith, age 72, of Friendship Lane, went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 22, 2011, at AnMed Health Medical Center.

Born December 3, 1938, in Anderson, SC, he was a son of the late Reverend W.B. Smith and Nora Gosnell Smith. He served in the United States Navy. Upon completion of Tri-County Technical College, he received a degree in Electronic Engineering. He retired from General Electric in Greenville. Mr. Smith was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Temple where he was a member of the Missions Team and was a graduate of the Savannah Valley Bible College.  Additionally, he was a member of Carpenters for Christ, Hejaz, the Hiram Masonic Lodge, the Starr-Iva Gideon’s Camp, and served at the rank of Chief for the Fire Brigade at General Electric.

Survivors include his wife, Wilda McCullough Smith, of the home; daughters: Marie Smith Schamens and husband, Thomas, and Myranda Smith Cantrell and husband, Jamie, all of Anderson, SC; grandchildren: Kendal-Marie Schamens, Ericson Smith Schamens, Mykala Cantrell, and McKane Cantrell; and sisters: Irene Martin of Haw River, NC, and Margaret Tollison of Anderson, SC.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings: Buford, Roy, and William Smith, Pauline Paxton, Frances Medlin, Evelyn Gentry, and Lady McGuire.

The Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 25, 2011, at Gethsemane Baptist Temple conducted by the Reverend Sam Duncan and the Reverend Danny Driver.  Interment with Military Honors will follow in M.J. ‘Dolly’ Cooper Veterans Cemetery.

The family is at the home and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home from 6pm until 8pm on Wednesday.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hope Children’s Home, 11415 Hope International Drive, Tampa, FL 33625.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com