W. Earl Smith

William Earl Smith, 91, of Edenton House, Edenton, NC, and a former longtime resident of the Rocky Hock community, died Saturday, September 19, 2015. Born September 8, 1924 in Chowan County, he was the son of the late Will and Nelia Bass Smith. The retired owner and operator of W.E. Smith Grocery, he was a member of Rocky Hock Baptist Church, a charter member of the Edenton-Chowan Rescue Squad, Unit 3, had been active in the Edward G. Bond Post #40 of the American Legion, and was an Army veteran of World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Delcie Jordan Smith; his daughter, Brenda Faye Smith; and by his brother, Marvin Bass Smith. Surviving are his daughter, Betty S. Bunch and husband Wayne of Edenton; two granddaughters, Teresa Brannon and husband Bryan of Apex and Sonya Rinehart and husband Ben of Edenton; a grandson, Adam Bunch and wife Dawn of Edenton; five great-granddaughters, Ellie, Bailey, Ava, Aubryn, and Adeline; and two great-grandsons, Matthew and Nathan. A funeral service will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Rocky Hock Baptist Church and will be officiated by Dr. James Horton. A private burial will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery, with Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, handling arrangements. Friends may join the family at the home of his daughter, 325 Evans-Bass Road, Edenton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Hock Baptist Church, 113 Rocky Hock Church Road, Edenton, NC 27932. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.