RED OAK – Louis Elton Smith Sr., 76, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Funeral services were held on Jan. 29 at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home with the Rev. Rucker Burnette officiating. Burial followed at Red Oak Cemetery.

Smith was born Feb. 27, 1931 in Nash County to the late Elton Smith and Mary Frazier Smith. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy F. Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Melba W. Smith; one son, Louis Elton Smith Jr. and wife Mary D. Smith of Red Oak; one daughter, Ellen Smith Brown and husband Ed Brown of Wilson; brothers, Robert D. Smith of Alabama and Bobby S. Smith; sister-in-law Angelane Smith of Red Oak; stepmother Beatrice Smith of Ocala, Fla.; and five grandchildren.

Sympathy flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the Red Oak Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 260, Red Oak, NC 27868.

Online condolences may be sent at www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.