Charles Thomas (Tommy) Smith, 71, of Big Cove, left this world for his eternal home of rest on Sunday, February 18, 2024. While we are left broken hearted, we also are comforted to know that he fought a good fight, finished his course, kept the faith and is at rest in the arms of our loving Savior.
He is survived by his wife, Nelda (Drake) Smith; children, Tyler and Whitney Smith and Mitch and Chrissy Smith; his four grandsons, Drake, River, Ryder and Layke; sisters-in-law: Elvira Lawson and Patricia Drake Lambert (Aaron); brothers-in-law: Tommy Clifton and Greg Whitt; and a host of nieces and nephews. We would also like to recognize a couple of his special friends, Bradley Martin and Tink Bunch.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Gordon and Ruby (Cross) Smith, and Reverend Mitchell and Lizzie (Simmons) Drake; sisters: Brenda Damron (Johnny) and Donna Smith; brother Joe Donald Smith; sisters-in-law: Virginia Fagan (Ted) and Juanita Osborne (Alton); brothers-in-law: Reverend Oakley Drake (Bobbie), Shelly Drake, and Lee Lawson.
Tommy was born into this world on September 22, 1952, to the late Gordon and Ruby (Cross) Smith. He married Nelda Michelle Drake on November 07, 1980, and was a loving and dedicated husband for over 43 years. He was a loving father and grandfather to his kids and grandkids who were the light of his life. Tommy received the Gift of the Holy Ghost on February 01, 1976, and served the Lord until the very end to receive his reward. He was known to many as a friend, encourager, prayer warrior, elder, pillar of the church and community, and so much more. Tommy was a very spiritual man with a life time of experiences and special connection to our Lord and Savior. As he said not many days ago, the Lord spoke to him and said “I will go all the way, even until the end” and that is a promise he found to be true. The Lord looked down and saw his faithful child was tired, homesick and needed him more in Heaven than he was needed here. He will be greatly missed by his family, Big Cove Holiness Church family, friends, the Big Cove Community and all who knew him.
Visitation with the family will be Wednesday at Big Cove Holiness Church beginning at 3:00 for family with public visitation from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Services will be held at Big Cove Holiness Church, Thursday with visitation from 10:30a.m.-1p.m with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Officiated by Bro. Greg Terry, Bro. Mark Warren, Mitch Smith, and Tyler Smith.
Grand Pallbearers: Drake Smith, River Smith, Ryder Smith, and Layke Smith
Pallbearers: Bransen Anderton, Erik Aragaki, Matt Clark, Bradley Martin, Kamran Saxena, and Mark Whitt
Honorary Pallbearers: Scott Dean, Marlin Drake, Todd Lawson, Keith Osborne, Bruce Stapler, Scott Stapler, and Danny Walls
Interment will be in the Green Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers. the family request donations in memory of Tommy Smith be made to Big Cove Holiness Church, 2316 Old Big Cove Road, Big Cove, AL 35763.
