Mr. Harold David Smith

Harold David Smith (91) went to be with the Lord on September 19, 2017. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm with a 2:00 pm funeral on Sunday, September 24, at James Memorial Baptist Church. Village Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Harold was born on August 26, 1926 in Blue Mountain, Alabama to Ava Feazell Smith and Haden Olbern Smith. He grew up in Lindale & Rome, Georgia where he and several family members worked for West Point Pepperell Cotton Mill. It was in those years that he discovered his God given ability as an artist. He began by carving his own toys which morphed into carving beautiful birds of all kinds. He loved to paint, do scratch board, but most of all carve. He began showing at art shows which is how he met his devoted wife, Ruby whom he married on October 12, 1967—this year was to be their 50th wedding anniversary. His artwork has been featured in The Birmingham Museum of Art, Neiman Marcus, The Greenhouse Gallery (of which he was an original founder), The Gadsden Museum of Art, and The Gadsden Cultural Arts Museum etc. He was one of the original founders, a trustee, president, and board member of the Gadsden Art Association. He was also on the building planning committee, as well as a board member for the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation. He used his talents to teach others as an art instructor—even this last year teaching school children with whom he had a special rapport. His favorite thing to say was, “Just take that wood right there & carve away anything that doesn’t look like a bird!!” He had an amazing ability to recall details from memory instead of having to use a picture from which to draw. In his lifetime, he won hundreds of awards and ribbons for his work. Harold was a patriot and loved and fought valiantly for America in WWII and the Korean War. He was a gunner on a Merchant Ship, part of the refueling team at sea for the Battle of Normandy, and crossed the Atlantic more than a dozen times. He was both in the Marines and Navy, and also worked for the Army. He liked to joke saying that he couldn’t make up his mind which one to choose! He said many times that if he could still do it, he would fight for America even today. He was a man of honor and valor willing to sacrifice his life for all of us. He was a Member of James Memorial Baptist church for over 40 years. He taught the RA’s, was a part of their mission teams, carved the dove that hangs in the baptistery, and painted several pictures of the church in the foyer. He knew Jesus as his personal Savior and was very thankful for deacons Joe Hall, Lyn Cowart, and others who befriended him and ultimately were responsible for him coming to Christ. Harold was an Eagle Scout, scout master, and member of the Rebel Camping Club of Gadsden. He loved to travel in his R.V. to places like Alaska, Canada, and all over the U.S. favoring in particular, Colorado. He use to tell the story of a very nervous night in a pop up camper when a black bear decided to get under their camper and bump around trying to get to the food in the cooler! He was a photographer and loved to try to capture deer, elk, moose, bear, mountain goats, as well as scenic mountains and streams. He was a sportsman who loved to fish and hunt as well. He was truly adventurous and thought nothing of snowmobiling in an avalanche area one time, or hiking up to an old shut down mine and having to skirt around the ledge which plummeted to a river below some 50+ feet! He was a lifelong learner and curious by nature. He loved to read encyclopedias and Google to research any little thing he had a question about. He was tech savvy and always wanted the latest gadget! Even in his nineties he was on the computer, Facebook etc. He was mechanically minded as well and would often service his own vehicles or take apart machines to repair them. He was industrious, and had an amazing ingenuity that he used to get him out of any situation—such as having carburetor issues on a mountain pass in Colorado and sticking his finger in the butterfly valve to keep it open while driving down the road!!! Harold was a prankster, comedian, and clown. He loved to make people laugh. He could tell the best stories—it may be this that we miss the very most. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great/great-great grandfather. He was the rock on whom we could always depend—always willing to help, always reliable, always dependable—our friend…our Dad. He was preceded in death by his parents Ava & Haden Smith, his brother Horace, daughters Jo England and Diane Grizzle, several grandchildren. He will be sorely missed and leaves behind his wife Ruby; daughters: Misti Wells (Clint), Jean Couey, and Nancy Costello; sons: David Smith (Maureen), Ken Smith (Cyndi); and his sister Betty Smith; grandchildren: Josh, Jason, Rachel, Stephen, Michael, Christopher, Christie, Shelly, Stacey, Don, Vivian, Monica, Carla, Miranda, Michele, and Christy, as well as several great and great-great grandchildren. Pall bearers will be Steve Smith, Bill Smith, Michael Smith, Christopher Smith, Roy Wood, and Charlie Skaggs. Honorary pall bearers are Josh Wells, Jason Wells, Stephen Hunter, John Heald, and Jerry Smith. Since Harold was a trained disaster relief team member, in lieu of flowers the family wishes all donations to be made to the current hurricane disaster relief organization of your choice.

Mr. Harold David Smith

August 26, 1926 - September 19, 2017