Boyd Gerald Smith passed away in Piedmont Crossing Retirement Community at the age of 89 on August 27, 2022. The wonderful Piedmont Crossing staff members cared for Boyd as if he was a member of their own family, and the loving residents were his dear friends and supporters. They encompassed our entire family in their Piedmont Crossing family for which we will be eternally grateful. Hospice of Davidson County worked with the Piedmont Crossing staff to provide comfort to all.


Boyd was born in the Holly Grove community of Davidson County on May 1,1933 to Carl and Hattie Smith. He was preceded in death by his devoted loving wife of 64 years, Kathleen Smith; his adored brothers: Artis Smith, Baxter Smith, Colen Smith and Edmund Smith; and his beloved sisters: Virgie Smith, Arlene Smith and Mildred Smith Beck. He is survived by a son, Dudley Smith (Sandy) and daughter Corrette Miller (Wayne); grandchildren: Riordan, Hattie (Browne), Scarlett Spell (Nick), and Noah Miller; and great-grandchildren, Scott Boyd Spell and Abigail Spell. Boyd was a member of Mount Tabor United Church of Christ and enjoyed teaching lessons in the Unity Sunday School Class. He was his happiest when enjoying visits, cards and phone calls from his friends, family and church.


Boyd was a veteran of the Korean War and enjoyed life-long friendships with the men with whom he served, and with his special friend "Skosh" of Okinawa. Boyd and Kathleen traveled the United States to attend the ASA reunions and enjoyed visits with these wonderful men and their families. After his service in the army, he received his undergraduate degree from High Point University and a Master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He served as a teacher and principal at Silver Valley Elementary School in the Davidson County Schools System, was a proud member of the "Silver Valley Family", and served as a charter president of the Silver Valley Civitan Club. Boyd was inducted into the South Davidson Athletic Hall of Fame. The Silver Valley community welcomed Boyd as a first-year teacher and then embraced him as a young principal. These kind people continued to lift him up until his death. After leaving education, Boyd retired from Thomasville Furniture Industries.


Boyd believed in quality public schools and in dedicated educators who offer children a quality education, molding their futures. He loved introducing young people to sports and teamwork. Boyd was a proud veteran of the Lexington American Legion Post 8, VFW and AMVETS. He was a vocal member of the Democrat Party and an avid UNC Tarheel fan. May he find heaven to be even more wonderful than "Blue Heaven" in Chapel Hill where he enjoyed attending football and basketball games.


Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, September 1st at Roberts Funeral Service in Lexington from 1:00 until 3:00pm. Graveside service will follow at Mount Tabor United Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, please continue Boyd's love for the Silver Valley Community by sending memorials to Silver Valley Civitan Club, c/o President Chris Hughes, 402 Holt Street, Lexington, NC 27292.