Benjamin Henry Smith, Jr., 98, passed away March 25, 2024, at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax, NC. The son of the late Benjamin Henry Smith and Margaret Dallas Smith, he was born July 13, 1925, in Donalds, SC. Ben graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, in Civil Engineering and as Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets. He worked for the State of South Carolina in major bridge construction until he married the former Susan Lee Cothran, of Greenwood, SC, on June 26, 1948, and moved to Wilmington, NC, to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers in military and civil works. Ben retired from the Corps in 1983 as Chief of Program Development.
Ben was deeply involved in the life and ministry of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC, for 76 years. He served in many positions, including Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Deacon, Ruling Elder, and Elder Emeritus.
Ben had a lifelong interest in gemstones and gemology. He was a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain; a Certified Diamond Appraiser of the Gemological Institute of America; a member of the United States Faceters Guild; an Accredited Master Faceter of the Wilmington Craft Guild; and a Past-President of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies. He gave lectures and taught courses for a wide variety of groups and organizations. The Ben Smith Room at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC, is named in his honor.
Ben’s beloved wife, Susan, passed away on March 31, 2015. He is survived by daughters, Suellen (John) Foust of Colfax, NC, and Marilyn (Lee) Adams of Raleigh, NC; grandson Jeremy (Michelle) Adams of Clayton, NC; and great-granddaughters Kathryn and Victoria Adams of Clayton, NC. The family is grateful for the loving, faithful, and compassionate care given to Ben by the River Landing at Sandy Ridge Skilled Nursing Staff and by Hospice of the Piedmont.
An online memorial service will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Memorials may be made to St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1416 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, or Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.
Forbis & Dick Funeral Service – Guilford Chapel, Greensboro, NC, is honored to serve the family.