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James Louis Smith affectionately known as “Buddy/Mr. Buddy”, son of the late Reverend George Allen and Mother Donnie Ann Smith was born February 02, 1946. He was the epitome of humbleness, servitude, and never met a stranger because he was genuinely kind to everyone. During the early morning hours of February 13, 2025 God called his servant son to transition from his earthly home to his heavenly home. Buddy attended Martin County Schools before joining the Army and ranking Sergeant. During his time in the Army, he fought in the Vietnam war and received several awards including the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. As a child, Buddy joined and served at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church. He joined Cornerstone Junior choir and would sing “His Eyes on the Sparrow.” Buddy rededicated his life back to God and served his church faithfully until his final days. Buddy was truly the face for the term “jack of all trades.” He loved spending time making grills and selling them. You could catch him throwing a fishing rod or aiming his rifle for deer hunting in his spare time. He would often serve as a repairman for his family and friends. Buddy was an avid coin collector and had a great love for antique collectible items. In his pastime, he would go to yard sales seeking collectible items or tools. There wasn’t a yard sale that he went to that he couldn’t convince the seller to lower their price through skilled bargaining. Mr. Buddy truly enjoyed cooking on the grill for his family and frying fish caught on fishing expeditions as part of the big breakfast on Christmas Day. Buddy’s work history included working in agriculture farming with C.L. Keel and Alton White. He worked for many years at Westpointe in Hamilton NC and Rubbermaid in Robersonville NC. As a plumber, he worked with Bob Brown Plumbing for years. More recently, he served as transport driver for Mr. Oselby Mercer ensuring clients received the care they needed. He will definitely be missed, and his impact will be great. The conversations about fishing, hunting, tent set-ups, and the grills he so skillfully built will be missed by those near and far. Buddy was preceded in death by four brothers, Randolph, Jesse, Adrow, and Walter Smith and unfortunately, he was the last surviving brother; one grandson, Zylon Bowers and friend of many years, Gloria Bowers. Buddy leaves to cherish and love his precious memories five daughters, Lashonda Speller (Jimmie), Lawanda Bowers Bond, Shemeka Bowers, Amie Bland, and Jamie Bland; two sons, James Bowers and Marnicus Bland; his two sisters, Dianne Alston-Peele (Curtis) and Mary Boyd (Talmon); sisters- in- law, Faye Smith, Dora Smith, and Mary Ann Smith; a special friend, Alice Rodgers; seventeen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

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Mr. James Smith

February 2, 1946 - February 13, 2025