Rufus Dalton Smith

Published 12:33 pm Monday, February 5, 2018

Mr. Rufus Dalton Smith, 92, passed away on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Hodges Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial will follow in Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery in Chocowinity.

Rufus was born in the Black Jack community of Pitt County on Oct. 17, 1925, to the late Jesse C. Smith and Madeline Maybell Smith and was a lifelong resident of Chocowinity. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy having served during World War II. While aboard the LST 505, he participated in the Invasion of Normandy, Invasion of Southern France, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, and Occupation of Okinawa Gunto. He was awarded the European Theatre Ribbon, Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, Victory Letter and Philippian Liberation Ribbon. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Rufus returned to his community where he married the love of his life, Elva Ruth Elks, on April 15, 1947. Later, his family owned and operated Smith’s Food Pride in Chocowinity. Many long-term friendships began at Smith’s, and the grocery store is still family owned and operated today.

Mr. Smith will be fondly remembered for his generosity and kind nature. He often came to the aid of those in need and appreciated his many loyal customers. He loved his family immensely, and he will be greatly missed by the many who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Rufus was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, William H. Jones, Jr., and Clyde Brown; four brothers, Jesse Smith, Jr., Linwood Earl Smith, John Ashley Smith and Alfred Emanuel Smith; and a sister, Elizabeth Deal.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elva Elks Smith; daughters, Carolyn Smith Brown, of Chocowinity, and Sue Smith McKinney and husband, Rex, all of Chocowinity; sons, Rufus “Dalton” Smith, Jr., of Chocowinity, Gary Smith and wife, Becky, of Purlear, North Carolina, and Donnie Smith and wife, Brinda, of Chocowinity; grandchildren, Tiffany Harlow, Bridgitte Harrell, Natalie Mason, Trey Smith, Lizanne Godley, Marsha Clark, Michelle Hullender, Donna Bradbury, Erin King, Stacey McKinney, Stephen Smith, Jonathan Smith, and Lindsey Ivey; 23 great-grandchildren; a brother, Marvin Smith, of Washington; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hodges Chapel Pentecostal Church.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Community Home Care and Hospice for their excellent care.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Hodges Chapel Pentecostal Church, 2564 Carrow Taylor Road, Chocowinity, NC 27817.

Arrangements are by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenville.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.