Richard Bruce Smith

Richard “Bruce” Smith of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, born May 14, 1928, was united with his Lord and his beloved wife, Nancy, on January 23, 2017. He was also predeceased by his parents, Lillie Jackson Wood Smith and Richard Berry Smith and his “big sisters,” Winifred Elizabeth Hendley and Doris Rachael Rivers Goodson.

Bruce is survived by his children, sons-in-law and grandchildren: Freda Smith Vittone (Victoria); Cynthia Smith and Joseph Barsanti (Catherine and Phillip); Richard Scott Smith and his special friend, Cam Fisher; and Katherine (Kitty) Smith and Jay Bergen (Ben and Meg). He is also survived by many very special nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

Bruce grew up in Cordele, Georgia, served in the United States Army as a radio specialist during the Korean War. He attended Cooks Radio School in Jackson, Mississippi which prepared him for a career in the radio business as a broadcaster and general manager of two radio stations in Georgia. He had the privilege of interviewing President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as other celebrities and dignitaries. He later became a sales representative for Fulghum Industries of Wadley, Georgia.

The Bruce Smith family moved to Rocky Mount in 1969 and became members of First Baptist Church. Those who knew and loved Bruce would say he was a kind gentle man with charisma and a vibrant “radio voice”. And, the ones who knew Bruce the best will remember him often saying, “Thank you and what can I do for you?”

A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will be held and published at a later date.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Bruce’s caregivers, Doris Moore, Jeanette Arrington, Tanya Evancho and Malinda Lynch. They were his angels of mercy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make donations to the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.