Ronald Stuart Smith

Ronald Stuart Smith, 59, of Gaston, South Carolina passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 11, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Gaston, 121 Oakey Springs Dr., Gaston, S. C. 29053 with Pastor Steven Bowers and Rev. Luke Beasley officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Smith was born in Columbia, South Carolina, a son of the late Stuart Milton Smith and the late Claudette (Laird) Smith.  Ronald retired from UPS Freight, formerly Overnite Transportation, after 35 years of service.  When he first started work there, he worked beside his dad learning how to be a good mechanic.  Then he became a driver for the last 30 years of his career.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors taking care of his animals and working on trucks and in the yard.  He loved trips to the mountains with his family. He spent any spare time fishing and his greatest love was being called Papa by his grandchildren.  He cherished his family like no other, helping to take care of his grandchildren.  When anyone speaks Ronald’s name, the words they use are kind, loving and a true family man.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Diane (Sissy) Smith; children, Stuart (Gracie), Brent (Kaycie) and Stephenie (Joey) Smith, all of Gaston; grandchildren, Ethan, Sarah, Dodge, Addalynn, Connor, Harper, Liam, Ainsley, all of Gaston; Mother-in-law, Barbara Bowen; sister, Donna (Danny) Estep of Gaston; nephews, Jeffrey (Jennifer), Matthew (Eden), Joey and Jordan; great nieces and nephew, Hayley, Colton, Josie, Mila, Layla, Kaylee and Hayleigh.

Pallbearers will be Jeffery Barfield, Matt Barfield, Ryan Harrison, Joey Wall, Jonathan Crider, Chance Fairchild, Harvey Smith – Alternate and Buddy Wall – Alternate.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ethan Smith, Connor Smith, Dodge George and Liam Freeman.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Gaston, 121 Oakey Springs Dr., Gaston, S. C. 29053 or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society @ givenow.lls.org.

The family will receive friends Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home, North, South Carolina.