Donald Lee Smithwick

Donald Lee Smithwick, 61, of Kershaw, passed away on August 5th at Carolina East Medical Center.

Donald was born in New Bern at St. Luke's Hospital on January 20, 1960.  He married the love of his life, Anne Taylor, on November 26, 1999 in Pigeon Forge, TN.  They built their loving home in Kershaw, NC.  He started a career as a mechanic for Hardy Chevrolet in Bayboro but spent the last 33 years serving as a master technician for Powercraft Marine in Oriental.

Donald is survived by his wife of 22 years (God bless her), Miss Anne of Kershaw, children Mark Aaron, Benjamin Thomas, both of Kershaw, Joanna Lee of Fayetteville, and Larisa Gadalla (Dave) of Carolina Beach.  Brothers Randy & Phillip of Kershaw, mother Iris Cowell of Kershaw, and father Roy Smithwick of New Bern.  Donald has many cousins and loved ones scattered around the county and endless friends around this wonderful state.

Donald was a man of many talents.  He was known as "the Carburetor Guy” for many men.  There was not a machine that he couldn't fix, not a blade of grass that he missed, nor a person that he loved to be left without some relentless, annoying comments.  He was the king of picking and joking around.  From his little cousins and bigger cousins, to his brothers from other mothers, to his special "adopted" parents Grant & Christine, to the delivery guys at work, he was the master aggravator to all.  He & Anne loved to entertain, cook on the grill, and have people over until it was time for bed, then he'd leave the ruckus and head inside with the guests still having fun outside.  He liked it that way because he hated to go anywhere except work.  He was a people person once you got to know him and if you knew him, you were lucky enough.

Donald's family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to everyone for all of the love, prayers, visits, and calls.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to PAWS PO Box 888, Oriental, NC 28571 [email protected] .

We are abiding by Donald's wishes and not having a service because he did not want any "hoopla," can't you hear him saying that?  He wanted to be cremated and his remains will remain at the home-place in Kershaw so he'll never have to leave again.

You'll be missed, Mayor.  Godspeed.