Billie Brown Smith

RALEIGH - Billie Brown Smith, 84, passed away on November 23, 2017 at the North Carolina Heart & Vascular Hospital in Raleigh. A native of Harnett County, NC, Billie was the son of the late John Emery and Carra B. Smith.  He graduated from Lafayette High School in Kipling, NC in 1951 and from Campbell University in 1953.  He served in the United States Army, Division Artillery, during the Korean War. Billie spent most of his professional career working in the insurance industry.  He retired in 2002 from Bagwell & Bagwell, Inc. where he was a partner.  He was a long-time, faithful member of Forest Hills Baptist Church and was a Mason and a Shriner. Billie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betsy Tutor Smith; daughter, Allison Dale Smith Shackelford; and, grandson, Jesse Smith Shackelford.  He is also survived by a sister, Colene S. Wilkins; a brother, J. Emery Smith; sister-in-law, Josie L. Smith; sister-in-law, Sylvia T. Sears; and many special extended family members.  In addition to his parents, Billie is predeceased by five sisters and six brothers. Services will be held at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.  A viewing will be held from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM in the Parlor with the funeral service following at 1:00 PM in the Sanctuary.  A visitation will be held in The Gathering Place immediately after the service.  Interment will be at Raleigh Memorial Park at the conclusion of the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church or to the Springmoor Endowment Fund.