Longtime Sampson County resident dies at 109

Smith was born in Sampson County in 1908. He celebrated in 109th birthday in August surrounded by friends and family.

Smith married his wife, Annie Cooper Smith, on March 5, 1930, and they stayed together until her 2011 death at age 99. Together, they had 11 children and raised one of their grandchildren.

Smith was a longtime usher and deacon at the Union Star Freewill Church and only stopped driving in 2007 because the driver’s license office was closed when he went to renew his license.

Funeral services are being arranged.