A retired educator, resident of Baton Rouge and native of Mount Holly, N.C., he died at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at home. He was 80 and a Navy veteran. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from noon until service at 2 p.m. Burial Services are pending for First Baptist Church, Alexis, N. C. Survived by his wife of 56 years, LaVonne S. Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Robin E. and Tommy Stephens; son and daughter-in-law, Preston B. and Gina R. Smith; two grandchildren, Thomas C. Smith and Michael W. Smith; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Henry L. and Jannie May Smith. He was the last of five brothers and two sisters. Henry left high school to join the U.S. Navy. He soon realized the benefits of education and returned to finish high school. He finished his undergraduate studies at Gardner Webb Junior College and Lenoir-Rhyne College, using his athletic abilities to obtain scholarships and winning state and national athletic honors in football and basketball. He held positions of leadership in all phases of campus life. Following his undergraduate studies, and several years of teaching and coaching in high school, Henry was awarded academic fellowships to the University of Virginia where he earned his masters and doctorates in education with expertise in education of the handicapped. Throughout a long, successful career, he served as teacher, supervisor of special education in high schools, university programs and positions in special programs in the Federal Bureau of Education. He was the assistant superintendent of special education at the Louisiana State Department of Education from 1976 to 1982. He then served the state as an educational consultant. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and served in many capacities. He was a recipient of many local, state and national awards and honors and served on many state and national boards, including "W. Kuhn Barnett Award" for service to exceptional persons in Virginia and Educator Award for the Year, Louisiana Phi Delta Kappa, and was inducted into Gardner-Webb University, Athletic Hall of Fame. He presented at numerous meetings and conferences both nationally and internationally. He was an innovator and mentor to many professional personnel who continue to serve in Louisiana and across the United States. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to First Baptist Church, 500 Convention St., Baton Rouge, LA, 70802 or one of your favorite charities.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dear Mrs. Smith, I am so sorry about your husband's death and that I was unable to attend his funeral; however, I do want you to know that I am remembering you and your family during these days. With my sincere sympathy, Nancy L. Brown FBCBR
Nancy L. Brown
February 16, 2012
Dear Aunt LaVonne and Cousins Robin and Preston,
Margi and I have been thinking about all of you since Uncle Henry's passing. We were so fond of Henry and always admired his intelligence, warmth, and wit. He will be dearly missed.
With Love and Sympathy,
Marjorie and Paul Recinos
February 14, 2012
I have followed this man's career with interest because he was one of Dick Thompson's boys who followed Coach from Mt. Holly to Stanley to help in whatever way that he could. I had the privilege to be on his JV Basketball squad for one year. Afterwards, he left Stanley to be an Assistant Coach at Brevard High School. When I came to Lincolnton High School to coach in 1968, I reconnected with him because he was recruiting one of our top football players for Gardner Webb. Being an educator myself, I continued to follow with interest his written publications and accomplishments.
To the family, I offer my prayers and sympathy. He was truly a Christian educator who left a imprint on peoples lives, mine included. Dr. Clyde T. Smith, Lincolnton, NC.
February 10, 2012
Mrs. Smith
I am sorry to hear about Dr. Smith's passing. I realize that my question may appear strange. However, during the late 50's I had a teacher (Henry Smith) at Flint Groves in Gastonia. Did Dr. Smith ever teach at that school?
Tommy Cloninger
February 9, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Dr. Smith is one of the good ones that will always leave an imprint upon your life. If you ever worked with him---you will never forget him--he will be missed.
Deepest Sympathy,
Bernadette McLaurin-Coleman
February 8, 2012
My friend Lavonne, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I am home with a sick child, sorry that I could not be in attendance. What a great life your husband lead, may your memories of him make you proud and bring your family comfort that their father and grandfather was such a good man. - Melissa Norris and Family at Woman's Hospital
February 7, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Chip & Sue Bordelon
February 6, 2012
To dear LaVonne,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. With love,
Mary Craig and Joe Murray
February 6, 2012
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