Gale Smith

Walter Gale Smith, 89, of Wildlife Circle, died Tuesday at Lexington Memorial Hospital after declining health. A funeral service will be at 3:00 PM Friday, August 29 at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Ray Howell, III and Rev. Tommy Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park. Mr. Smith was born May 16, 1919 in Davidson County to Ivy A. Smith, Sr. and Dora McCarn Smith. He retired from Dixie Furniture and a veteran of the US Army having served in World War II. He was an active member of First Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon. He was also a member of American Legion Post 162. He was preceded in death by his 13 brothers and sisters. Surviving are his wife, Veighlene Garner Smith of the home; his sons: Ronnie Smith of Lexington and Mark Smith of Union Mills; his daughter, Patti Marlowe and husband, Sam; his grandchildren: Sam Marlowe, Jr. and wife, Missy of Rutherfordton, Brian Marlowe and wife, Kelley, of San Angelo, TX, and Jill Simmons, and husband, Ashley, of Ft. Benning, GA; his great grandchildren: Hanna Marlowe, Emma Marlowe, Laney Simmons, and Taylor Simmons; his “adopted” grandchildren: Peter Chov and wife, Rachel, of Forest City, Michael Chov and wife, Sovadi, of Johnson City, TN, Apostol Jekov and wife, Zornitza, of Rutherfordton, and Bobby Chang of Union Mills; and his adopted great grandchildren: Charlie Chov, Julie and Nathan Chov, Alexa Jekov, and Christopher Jekov. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 PM Friday at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall prior to the service. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 436, Lexington NC 27293, Hospice of Davidson County, PO Box 1941, Lexington NC 27293 or to the donor’s choice.