RICH SQUARE, NC – Carroll Eugene “Gene” Smith, Sr., 84, died at his home on Benthall Cooke Road on Tuesday, September 25, 2018.

Gene was born in Gates County, NC, July 28, 1934, to the late Benjamin G. and Wertley Maye Hobbs Smith. He loved farming and fishing. The family said that if you did not find him at the Rich Square Cotton Gin, you would, most likely, find him down at the Eastern Shore with his lines in the water.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Jones, and brothers, Earl and J.B. Smith.

Surviving are wife, Kay Archer Smith of the home; children, Ginger Kay Lassiter and husband, Charles, Jr., of Rich Square, and Carroll Eugene Smith, Jr. and wife, Kristy, of Jackson, NC; sister, Mary Elizabeth Dilday of Ahoskie; four grandchildren, Christopher Lassiter, Jr. and wife, Desiree, Thomas Smith, Taylor Carpenter and Allison Carpenter; and one great-grandchild, Titus Lassiter. Also surviving are special friends, Alvin and Hilda Batchelor, Steve and Gene Bennett, Richard and Brenda Spence, and Frank Timberlake.

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral Service- Jackson Chapel on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 6-8 pm. Rev. Bob Rogers will conduct funeral services in the Jackson Chapel on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in the Archer Family Cemetery, located off Fire Tower Road, immediately following the chapel service.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested to make memorial contributions in honor of Carroll “Gene” Smith, Sr. to Kindred Hospice of Tarboro, 1712 W. Howard Ave., Tarboro, NC 27886.

Online condolences may be sent www.askewfs.com.