Ronald Dean Smith

Ronald Dean Smith, 73, of Morganton, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at UNC Blue Ridge Morganton following a brief illness

Dean was born April 3, 1952 in Cleveland County to the late David and Opal Smtih. He was a member of Friendly Freewill Baptist Church and had a wonderful sense of humor.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Carswell Smith; brother, Ray Smith; sister, Jean McGraw; and mother-in-law, Mable Carswell.

He is survived by his daughter Alice McKinney and husband Steven of Nebo; grandson, Johnathon McKinney of Nebo; brothers, J.R. Smith and wife Faye of Caser, and Grady Smith and wife Marion; sisters, Virginia Smith and husband Ray of Morganton, Elizabeth Parker and husband Charles of Caser, Ellen Billings and husband Jim of Morganton, and Faye McFarland of Lenoir; father-in-law, Odes Carswell; and brother-in-law, Cleotes "Buddy" Carswell and wife Marie of Morganton. Also surviving are many other extended family members who he loved and cherished.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese, NC.

A funeral service will be held 2:00PM on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Friendly Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Allen Fredell and Rev. Paul Grindstaff officiating. Interment will follow in the Friendly Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Donald Justice conducting the committal service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital at 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.

An online obituary may be found at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.