John Smith Obituary

Captain John T. Smith, Sr. LADSON - John Theodore "Smitty" Smith, Sr., 81, of Ladson, SC, passed away Tuesday, June 15th at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, SC surrounded by his loving family. "Smitty" passed during a recent hospital stay as a result of pneumonia which led to a heart attack from which he never recovered. He was born August, 13, 1939 to John Isaac Smith and Mona Lee Smith (nee Cain) in Orangeburg, SC. He was the eldest of six children, four brothers and a sister, and grew up in Charleston after moving here with his family and attended Charleston County Public Schools. At a young age, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska as a General's personal driver. After three years, he was honorably discharged and returned to Charleston, where he began to work as a carpenter and cabinet builder. In 1966, he began his career as a firefighter and spent the majority of his 32 years at St. Andrews Fire Department, where he retired as Captain in 1999. He was highly decorated and greatly respected as a leader, friend and professional. He is still highly regarded in the firefighter community, and by his former peers and the men and women whom served under him. Following his retirement, he went back to the fire service as a dispatcher and then delved back into carpentry and construction and several other odd jobs. He was a member of Heritage Holiness Church in Ladson and was heavily involved and supportive of the Men's fellowship. He was known as the "Candy Man" at church because he always had a supply to hand out to anyone who asked. He was a true believer and follower of Christ and was warmly regarded in the church. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Dale Winter Smith; six children, Jacquelyn Marie Smith Foster (James) of Hanahan, John T. Smith, Jr. "Teddy" (Sherrie) of Roundo, Leigh Michele Summer (Dwayne) of N. Charleston, Shannon R. Smith (Andrea) of Ladson; Anthony Eugene Ciuffo (Bonnie) of Moncks Corner, and Petrina Ciuffo Pope (Roy) of Summerville, and 29 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Leon Joseph "Chubby" Smith (Lana) of Moncks Corner, Ernest Robert "Bobby" Smith (Joy) of N. Charleston, Laura Lee Cain (Robert) of Grovetown, GA, Louis Matthew Smith (Elaine {deceased}) of Florence, and David Earl Smith (Debbie) of Eutawville and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Heritage Holiness Church in Ladson, officiated by Reverend Bob Matthews, Pastor. Remains will be escorted by the St. Andrews Fire Department and Honors rendered by the North Charleston Fire Department Honor Guard. The family will receive visitation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday June 22nd, 2021 with services to follow at 11 a.m.. No interment is planned. Flowers can be sent to Heritage Holiness Church, 3836 Ladson Rd., Ladson, SC 29456. Donations and Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made in the name of John T. "Smitty" Smith, Sr. to the Low Country Firefighter Support Team @ firefightersupport.org. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and all staff at Trident Medical Center for their tireless efforts, support and professionalism during "Smitty's" time in their care. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston