Obituary of Eric Smith

Bryson City Dateline Eric Stephen Smith, 43, of the Lauada Community went home to be with the Lord Saturday, May 28, 2011. A native of Swain County, he was the son of Eloise Cline Hicks of Whittier and the late Jarrett Smith. He was owner and operator of Skyview Landscaping and property management for the past 16 years. He attended Holly Springs Baptist Church. He served as a volunteer coach and past president of Little League and the Swain County Booster Club. Eric had a passion for helping the youth in the county in any capacity and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman where he tried to pass on the heritage of hunting and stewardship of the land to upcoming generations. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 24 years, Kelli Kitchin Smith; one son, Jake Smith; one daughter, Samantha Smith, both of the home; two sisters, Teresa Carvalho and Rebecca Nations both of Whittier; one brother, Reggie Smith of Whittier; and he was the son-in-law of Helen Kitchin of Whittier and the late Willard Kitchin. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Whittier Church of God. Revs. Ned Pressley and Tim Barker will officiate with burial in Lauada Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Crisp Funeral Home where Eric will remain until the service time.