LC (Buddy) Smith passed away at home in Ruston, LA on May 12, 2025, after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Eula Mae Smith, his sisters Evelyn Dodgen and Catherine Davis. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty Ellis Smith; three daughters, Vicky Smith, Donna Wenner (husband Russ) and Sheri Herren (husband Kevin); four grandchildren, Bradley Wenner, Jason Wenner (wife Jen), Jessica Herren, and John Herren. He is also survived by three great grandchildren Brynn, Brooks, Parker Wenner, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Buddy grew up in Greenwood, SC where he met his future wife in high school. He graduated from Clemson University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He then served two years as a 1^st Lieutenant in the US Army. Buddy had a long career as an engineer in the paper industry. He worked at Pineville Kraft in Pineville, La, and Stone Container in Florence, SC and Hodge, LA.  A year before retiring from Hodge in 1997, he was awarded the Stone Container Chairman’s Award for Excellence at their corporate headquarters in Chicago, IL.

After retiring, Buddy met daily with the Turtle Creek Coffee group to discuss current events, sports, politics – everything under the sun. They met at Wendy’s daily for so long that the staff had their coffee ready for them when they got there! Deep friendships were formed from this group.

Buddy was also an avid sports fan who loved watching his Clemson Tigers and the New Orleans Saints. He was very handy and enjoyed helping family and friends with any projects they had. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and keeping up with his great grandchildren. Buddy loved gardening and working in his yard. He meticulously kept up his yard until about a year ago.

Buddy was an active member of Temple Baptist Church for the past 39 years. He was a faithful member of his Sunday school class and continued to attend until March of this year.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Temple Baptist Church, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the organization of your choice.

A private graveside service for the family will be held at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens in Ruston at a future date under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.

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