Rudolph Clifton Smith, Jr.

Rudolph Clifton Smith, Jr. Rudolph Clifton Smith, Jr., 83, of Florence, SC, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2011 at the McLeod Hospice House after an illness. Mr. Smith was born August 22, 1928 in Florence to the late Rudolph Clifton Smith, Sr. and Olive Brown Smith.He attended Florence High School and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Harrell.They were married for 53 years until she passed away in December of 2006. Mr. Smith served his country through the Navy and then the Naval Reserve for over 30 years.He served his state by working for the SC Highway Department's License Exam Division for over three decades.Upon his retirement, he began bird carving as a hobby.Later, he won several carving competitions including the World Carving Competition in Ocean City, Maryland for his realistic pieces.Mr. Smith's work has been on display at galleries in South Carolina and Georgia where he and his wife, Betty, also enjoyed displaying and selling his works at several craft shows. Mr. Smith is survived by his two children; his son, Rudolph Clifton "Chip" Smith, III and his wife, Cecily "Bebe" Smith and their two sons, Whit and Taylor Smith of Myrtle Beach; his daughter, Veda Smith Yohe and her husband, John, and their son, Brian Yohe of Atlanta, GA.He is also survivied by his sister, Patsy Bagnal and brother-in-law, General Charles Bagnal of Columbia, SC and a very special friend and primary caregiver, Ms. Pat Williams of Timmonsville. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 87, Florence, SC29503 or to the McLeod Hospice House, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC29502. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 2, 2012 at Central United Methodist Church.Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Monday morning at Central United Methodist Church. The family would also like to thank his other caregivers for their devotion, kindness and respect they gave to Mr. Smith; Betty Townsend of Florence, Cynthia Mason of Marion and Jessica Cabbagestalk of Hartsville, SC.Please sign the online guest registry for Mr. Smith at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.