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BRADENTON, Fla. - Ronald “Ford” Smith, age 82, passed away at Inspired Living-Hidden Lakes, in Bradenton, Fla. on April 29, 2024.

Ford was born on March 27, 1942, in Cherryville, N.C. to the late Fred Lafayette and Beulah Neal Smith.

Ford was affectionately known as “Fordie” by his friends and family. Fordie was a simple man who loved with an open heart. He was always thankful, and everyone adored him. Fordie attended Wesleyan Methodist for many years and absolutely loved church. You could often find him reading his Bible, at least a couple hours a day. Fordie treasured his parents and siblings. His late sister Alice and he spent time together weekly. After Alice’s beauty shop visit, they enjoyed running errands and eating at Homefolks Café. Fordie’s sister, Vickie and her husband, Roger, had been his constant companions for many years; he lived with them for 14 years prior to moving into Inspired Living Memory Center. Ford had quite the imagination and enjoyed watching Vickie paint and he enjoyed collecting trinkets. His trinket collection was something he deeply appreciated and valued, and he loved showing and giving them to others.

Ford is survived by his sister, Vivian “Vickie” Smith Bryan (Roger); and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Fordie was preceded in death by his siblings, Ruby Lee Smith, Joe Bill Smith, Gladys Smith Isenhour, Dorothy Jeannette Smith, Jack Neal Smith, Mary Alice Carpenter, Jimmy Richard Smith, and Robert Dixon Smith.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Carpenter-Porter Funeral Home, with Dr. Hugh Whitfield officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Cherryville City Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Vickie Bryan, in care of Carpenter-Porter Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com

Carpenter-Porter Funeral and Cremation Services of Cherryville, N.C. is serving the Smith family.

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