Clarence Smith Obituary

Clarence C.
"Smitty" Smith
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC - The Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Clarence C. "Smitty" Smith, 93, who entered into rest September 29, 2015, will be conducted Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, with interment following in Pineview Memorial Gardens with Veterans Honors. The Reverend Jose Hugo Ruiz Marentes, OFM, Celebrant.
Mr. Smith was the son of the late Clarence Carl Smith, Sr. and Bess May Johnson Smith, born in Detroit, Michigan, a native of East Lansing, Michigan, having made North Augusta his home for the past 44 years. He was a devout member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and served as the chairman of the Finance Committee. In 1978, he and his wife provided the initial "seed" money for the construction of the present church. Mr. Smith was a US Navy Veteran of WWII where he served as a navigator and pilot in the South Pacific, Guadacanal and Bouganville areas in the feared Black Cat squadron. He was discharged in 1945, and married the love of his life, returned to Albion College & University of Michigan and received his Aeronautical Engineering degree in 1949 from Tri State University. Mr. Smith was retired from Tranter Manufacturing after 37 years of service and established the Edgefield, SC division in 1970, which became the largest manufacturer of transformer radiators in the world. Tranter supplied radiators to all transformer manufacturers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He enjoyed dancing, music of the swing band era of the late 1930's and 1940's, traveling and playing golf. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Betty Hecht Smith; a brother, Gerald J. Smith and two sisters,
Virginia and Gloria Smith.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Tina Smith, Pittsburgh, PA and Scott and Sandra Smith, Oxford, GA; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah and Bill Lawson and Sandra and Richard Ray, all of North Augusta, SC; a sister and brother-in-law, Janie and Erv Corless, Rochester Hills, MI; 12 grandchildren, Carson Smith, Ilya Smith, Jessica Boozer, Jamie Smith, Jason Smith, Carl Gay, Andy Gay, Richard L. Ray, Jr., Tonya Wilson, Brad Lawson, Coley Lawson and Bess Lawson; 16 great-grandchildren; six nephews and one niece.
Pallbearers will be Jason Smith, Carl Gay, Andy Gay, Brad Lawson, Coley Lawson and Ilya Smith.
A Vigil Service for the deceased will be held Sunday evening at 4 o'clock followed by visitation until 6.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude to Elease Ashley and Connie Martin for the special care given to Mr. Smith.
Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, P. O. Box 6605, North Augusta, SC 29861.
Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803.278.1181).
Visit the registry at
www.poseycares.com