I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also all who have longed for his appearing.  II Timothy 4:7-8

A golden heart stopped beating as our mighty Creator returned to carry one of his own from life to eternal peace. Ernest C. Smith was born on May 31, 1935, in the Longridge section of Moncks Corner, SC, to the late Mr. Joseph Smith and Mrs. Eartha Lee Benson Smith. "Bubba", as he was affectionally called, was the most kindhearted person you would ever want to meet. He would give you his heart if he could have taken it out of his body. He believed in family love and loved being a leaning post for his family. He shared so much with the community. To know him was to love him. He never met a stranger.

Ernest attended school in Berkeley County. He didn't get a chance to graduate because he put his family first and assumed his responsibility to help take care of his sisters and brothers. He believed in determination and in working hard to get what you want. He worked many days and evenings out in the fields, planting produce for the market. He later retired from the International Longshoreman Association, Local #1422 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ernest was a faithful member of Canaan Christian Church, where he attended Sunday School and served in all of the other functions of the church. He was baptized as a child and confessed his acceptance of Christ as his Savior. He later became the Church Elder where he served for over 25 years. He took his job as Elder very seriously.

Elder Ernest assisted Canaan Christian Church with seeking to purchase land for the new church site and cemetery, along with helping with their county perk test. He also assisted with the county land drilling and all other county assessments. Elder Ernest was able to witness the groundbreaking for the new church and working with the Army Corps of Engineers.

In April 1968, Ernest was joined in Holy Matrimony to Gertie Mack Smith. This union was blessed with 52 years of marriage.

On Monday, January 29, 2024, Ernest was called home by the Lord in His infinite wisdom. He joined his wife, his parents, and his sisters, Virginia Perry and Bessie Stevens, and his brother, Tom Smith.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories: his sons, Kenneth C. Smith and Rodney (Priscilla) Mack of Moncks Corner, SC; three sisters, Geraldine Simmons of Goose Creek, SC, Mary Gethers of Charleston, SC, and Georgia Bell Taste of Moncks Corner, SC; one brother, Argo Smith of Brooklyn, NY; three grandchildren, Karick McNeil of Charlotte, NC, Dr. Stedman (Kanita) Bolger of Atlanta, GA, and Morgan Mack of Moncks Corner, SC; three great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Walter Mack, Sr.; sister-in-law, Mildred Mack; two adopted daughters, Audrey Bolger and Jennifer McNeil; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Home Going Celebration will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Nazareth Reformed Episcopal Church, 145 West End Drive, Moncks Corner, SC. Interment will be in Willson Cemetery. Viewing will be held Thursday, February 8, 2024, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

The service will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh