Jimmy Smith passed away last week. Click on the Url in the "In Memory Page" and it will take you to the funeral home's obituary. About two years ago, right out of the blue, he started corresponding with me. As it turns out he lived in Lexington, SC just a few miles from my sister in West Columbia. I had full intentions of visiting with him, but circumstances and health problems (mine, not his) prevented me from getting to the Columbia area. As you can see from the obituary, Jimmy led an exemplary life. All of a sudden, about six months ago, he mentioned in an email that he had an appointment with an oncologist. Having had major cancer surgery myself, it didn't concern me all that much because he had never talked (we had several phone conversations over the months) about having any problems. But then there was a period of about six months that I heard nothing. Next thing I know, one of his relatives sent the obituary via email. When Jimmy and I talked, he often mentioned his love of our high school class and the great friendships that were formed. He was especially complimentary of the website - which he said enabled him to stay in touch. Jimmy was a good guy and we shalll miss him.
Jimmy was a good guy. He and i sang together in chorus and a coupld of times at assembly. I had boxed as a novicer some so i talked Jimmy into the Golden Gloves in Gastonia when we turned 16. Jerry Dodgen was a teacher and trainer. Little did i know that at 16 a boxer had to fight in the Open Division not the Novice. In Novice we fought guys our same weight and age. In Open fighting we had to fight guys our same weight regardless of their age. Jimmy drew a guy from Charlotte who was 18. Jimmy lost badly. I drew a Pembroke Indian from Cheraw SC who beat the crap out of me for one minute and 55 seconds., We both joked about those fights for a long time.
In the past three years we both foought a different kind of fight. Like in the ring as a 16 year boy fighting men, the fight has not been fair. Jimmy is better off because of the courage it took the fight at 16. It took way more courage to fight at 80 but he did. I will continue as long as God gives me breath because i love this life. Jimmy has not lost he has won a more perfect place where no pain, no tears, except tears of happiness, no cancer, or any other disease can touch his new life. I will miss him.......Gene
David Jordan
Jimmy Smith passed away last week. Click on the Url in the "In Memory Page" and it will take you to the funeral home's obituary. About two years ago, right out of the blue, he started corresponding with me. As it turns out he lived in Lexington, SC just a few miles from my sister in West Columbia. I had full intentions of visiting with him, but circumstances and health problems (mine, not his) prevented me from getting to the Columbia area. As you can see from the obituary, Jimmy led an exemplary life. All of a sudden, about six months ago, he mentioned in an email that he had an appointment with an oncologist. Having had major cancer surgery myself, it didn't concern me all that much because he had never talked (we had several phone conversations over the months) about having any problems. But then there was a period of about six months that I heard nothing. Next thing I know, one of his relatives sent the obituary via email. When Jimmy and I talked, he often mentioned his love of our high school class and the great friendships that were formed. He was especially complimentary of the website - which he said enabled him to stay in touch. Jimmy was a good guy and we shalll miss him.
Gene Davis (Davis)
Jimmy was a good guy. He and i sang together in chorus and a coupld of times at assembly. I had boxed as a novicer some so i talked Jimmy into the Golden Gloves in Gastonia when we turned 16. Jerry Dodgen was a teacher and trainer. Little did i know that at 16 a boxer had to fight in the Open Division not the Novice. In Novice we fought guys our same weight and age. In Open fighting we had to fight guys our same weight regardless of their age. Jimmy drew a guy from Charlotte who was 18. Jimmy lost badly. I drew a Pembroke Indian from Cheraw SC who beat the crap out of me for one minute and 55 seconds., We both joked about those fights for a long time.
In the past three years we both foought a different kind of fight. Like in the ring as a 16 year boy fighting men, the fight has not been fair. Jimmy is better off because of the courage it took the fight at 16. It took way more courage to fight at 80 but he did. I will continue as long as God gives me breath because i love this life. Jimmy has not lost he has won a more perfect place where no pain, no tears, except tears of happiness, no cancer, or any other disease can touch his new life. I will miss him.......Gene
Nancy Louise Thompson (Downing)
Wonderful comment. Very thoughtful. Thank you.