Kenneth Eugene Smith

RURAL HALL
Mr. Kenneth Eugene Smith, 83, left behind this life and entered through Heaven's open gates to his eternal home, on Monday April 13, 2015. He was born in Rural Hall on September 7, 1931 the son of the late Ollie and Hazel Stoltz Smith. He graduated Rural Hall High School in 1949. Ken became employed by Hanes Hosiery Mill on his 18th birthday and retired from the Mill (by then named Sara Lee-LEGGS Hosiery) in 1992 after 40+ years of service with the company. He was Projects Engineer in Product Development when he retired. Ken married the former Gilda Gray Tuttle of Rural Hall in 1955. They bought their first home in Rural Hall in the same year and spent their lives there. Ken and Gilda celebrated 44 years of happiness on their anniversary in July prior to Gilda's passing in August 1998. Ken served two years of active duty in the United States Army. He was stationed in Nuremburg, Germany where Gilda joined him. They traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting France, Italy and Austria. Upon returning home he spent the last few months of his service in Fort Carson, Colorado. After the passing of their respective spouses, Ken and a special friend, Mrs. Margie Wright of Rural Hall, enjoyed 13 years of companionship and respect until Margie's passing two years ago. Ken attended First Baptist Church of Rural Hall for over 30 years, where he had served as a deacon. He then joined Kingswood United Methodist Church where he attended faithfully as long as his health permitted. Ken had served on the Rural Hall Town Council, was the president of the first Jaycee Club in Rural Hall and was a past member of the Rural Hall Civic Club. He also served as a judge for the Forsyth County Board of Elections, working the polls, usually at Rural Hall Elementary School. Ken is survived by his sister, Becky Weeden and brother-in-law, Fred of Pfafftown, a brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Shirley Tuttle of Rural Hall, three nieces, Dani Raymer (Neil) of Winston-Salem, Jan Scott (Dale) of Pinnacle and Wendy Lawson (Tim) of Kernersville, a nephew, Scotty Tuttle (Marcia) of Houston, TX, seven great-nephews and three great-nieces. Ken also leaves behind many forever friends, young and old alike, who love and respect him. He will be sorely missed by all. Ken will be remembered, among other things, for his generosity, his honesty, faith, kindness, sense of humor and easy laugh, his sincere and heartfelt ability to make everyone feel like a very important and special person. Ken had a heart of gold and showed his love by his actions and the natural ease with which he said ""I Love You."" Ken was partly known for his catchy sayings and philosophy. One of his most frequently quoted was, ""Every man should have one good wife, one good dog and one good pocket knife."" Ken would tell you, he had all three. Funeral services celebrating Ken's life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Rural Hall with Rev. R. Sidney Lanier officiating. Burial will follow in Crestview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. this evening, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall. In lieu of flowers, Ken would be pleased to be remembered with gifts to his church in his memory, Kingswood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 399, Rural Hall, NC 27045. Ken's family wishes to acknowledge with grateful appreciation, his many caregivers at Forsyth Medical Center, who took wonderful care of him and his family during his illness. Some people heed a calling and others just perform a job. These people have heard a call and answered it with loving service and kindness. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. (Hayworth-Miller Rural Hall Chapel)

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