Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:11 am

Carl "Butch" Smith, Jr., age 68, of Forest City, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017.

Born February 2, 1949 in Rutherford County, he is the son of Mattie Dysart Smith Lackey who resides in Caroleen and the late Carl Lawson Smith, Sr. He was a graduate of Chase High School and worked for Cone Mill-Avondale Plant and also for Appling Boring for several years. Butch was an avid fisherman and enjoyed watching football and wrestling. Most importantly he loved his family dearly. He was a member of the Church of the Exceptional.

In addition to his mother, those left to cherish his memory include his wife of forty-years, Linda B. Smith; three daughters, Christine Luckadoo of Henrietta, Darlene Gilbert and husband David and Lisa Ruppe all of Forest City; one son, Scott Ruppe of Ellenboro; three brothers, Perry M. Smith of Caroleen, Mike Smith and wife, Elizabeth of Caroleen, David Smith and wife, Janice of Green Hill, and a sister, Rene Vinson and husband, Gene of Forest City; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his fishing buddies who include, Jimmy, Ray, Marty and Tristen.

The funeral service was conducted at the Church of the Exceptional with Celebrants Michael Lawing and Sam Ramsey officiating. Interment followed in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations are respectively requested to the Church of the Exceptional, PO Box 46, Caroleen, NC 28018.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.