Bernard E. Smith

Bernard E. Smith was born November 1, 1918 in North Platte, NE to Ross and Florence Smith.

After Pearl Harbor, he was drafted into the military and trained and stationed at Camp Barkley, TX. While in Texas he met Becky Ray, an employee at Christian servicemen’s center in Abilene, TX. They married on February 14, 1945. Shortly afterward, Bernard deployed to the Philippines where he served in General McArthur’s Headquarters.

At the conclusion of World War II, Bernard and Becky settled in Abilene, TX. Bernard went to college on the GI Bill. He earned his BA in accounting at Hardin Simmons University in 1949, and his MA in 1952. He taught school for one year in Aspermont, TX. He then worked in Abilene at an accounting firm. Afterward, Bernard was the managing partner of the Bible Book Store on Butternut Street for over thirty years. While managing the Bible Book Store, he owned and managed an accounting firm that was located next to the Bible Book Store. Bernard served faithfully as an elder for the Abilene Bible Center on Butternut Street; was a member of Gideon’s International; and was an officer in the Christian Bookseller’s Association.

In his retirement years, Bernard worked as a part-time employee of Computax. Bernard also traveled part-time as a representative for Sudan Interior Mission (SIM).

Surviving Bernard are a son Garry Smith and wife, Betty, of Simpsonville, SC; son-in-law, Steven Perry of Abilene, TX; sister, Mary Roggow of North Platte, NE; and his grandchildren, Stephanie Travis, Ross Smith, Bernice Holland, David Perry, Carl Smith, Charissa Sellers, and Bethany Hassman; 22 great grandchildren, as well as extended family and close friends.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dean and Donald; a daughter, Sandra Kathleen Perry; and his beloved wife, Becky, after 66 years of marriage.

Bernard died peacefully on September 16, 2013 at The Haven, an Alzheimer’s and dementia facility in Greenville, SC, with his son Garry at his side.

Bernard loved his family and particularly his grandchildren.

He is now living in the presence of his Lord, whom he faithfully served since he was saved at age nine at revival in Nebraska in 1927.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 – 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at Piersall Benton Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St with a funeral service to follow the visitation at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. A private family burial will be held following the service.

Memorials may be made to Sudan Interior Mission, P.O. Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.