Beufus Smith

Beufus Smith, age 91, was born in Macon, Georgia on October 15, 1919, to Andrew and Clara Smith. The family moved to Columbus, Ohio after his mother, Clara passed away when he was 3 years old. Mr. Smith was then raised by his Aunt and Uncle Ella and Robert Carreker. Mr. Smith served in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer 1st Class in the positions of Gunner and Cook on the USS LST-485. The LST class of ships were designed to quickly deliver their cargo, which consisted of troops and military equipment, to the shores of battle fronts. Mr. Smith’s ship saw service within the Pacific Theater during World War II. Mr. Smith was honorable discharged from the United States Navy. Mr. Smith was employed by Pennsylvania Railroad/Conrail Railroad retiring after 30 years of service at the age of 55. He held various supervisory positions for the railroad managing hourly personnel in the rail yards surrounding Columbus, Ohio. Beufus Smith served as a greeter for Asbury North United Methodist Church for over 25 years. Mr. Smith never missed an opportunity to greet his congregation and visitors with a twinkle in his eye and a kiss on the cheek. He had a great sense of humor and never met a stranger. Mr. Smith and his beloved wife Emma opened their home and hearts to many people during their lives, but there is a fond remembrance of Lisa Penn and her daughter Angel Smith. Mr. Smith was a meticulous dresser paying attention to minute detail – down to the spit-polish shine on his shoes and his french cuff shirts. Both quite outspoken, loquacious, and a wonderful conversationalist on many topics, Mr. Smith kept you laughing with his unique analogies on life. He could remember the first nickel he earned as a young man and shared this story many times with family and friends. Mr. Smith was also a member of the Tarbell Lodge #7. Beufus Andrew Smith was preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Clara Smith; his Uncle and Aunt Robert and Ella Carreker; his beloved and devoted wife of 68 years, Clara Emma Smith; and special friend of the family, Deloris Early. Beufus leaves to cherish his memory his sister Doris Mae Butler, Columbus, Ohio; nieces Deloris Carter-Pettigrew, Clara Stiger, and Tanya Diane Willis all of Columbus, Ohio; nephews Griffin K. Butler (Shirley), Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Andrew Butler (Cornelia) Detroit, Michigan, Richard Carter, Columbus, Ohio, Keith Antone Willis, St. Louis, Missouri; cousins Henrietta Franklin, Gloria Harvey, Annie Ruffin, all of Columbus, Ohio, and Thelma Blackburn, Buddy Jackson, Willie Jackson, Louis Jackson, Napoleon Jackson, and Michael Jackson all of Atlanta, Georgia; many Lodge brothers of the Tarbell Lodge #7; special friends and neighbor Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Brown, and guardian, Amy Himmelrick.