ralph jesse smitherman

EAST BEND - Mr. Ralph J. Smitherman, 100, passed away Monday, Dec. 10, 2001.

He was born in Yadkin County on Nov. 2, 1901, to Doc and Emma Binkley Smitherman.

Mr. Smitherman was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church. He graduated from high school in 1925. After a year out of high school, he worked with a paving and construction company. He then decided to attend Guilford College and also did construction work to pay his tuition. He transferred to Appalachian State Teachers College and graduated in 1932. He also met his future wife, Lillian Davis, who preceded him in death, at Appalachian (now Appalachian State University). Mr. Smitherman taught at the following schools: Bethel (near Boone), East Bend, Sedge Garden in Forsyth County and Courtney in Chatham County. He was principal at the following schools: Pine Hall from 1940 to 1946, Farmington from 1946 to 1949, and East Bend from 1950 to 1963, when he retired. He served on the Yadkin County Board of Education in the 1970s. He was a charter member of the East Bend Lions Club and of the Ruritan Club.

Surviving are his son, William R. (Carolyn C.) Smitherman of East Bend; a sister, Mae Sizemore of Winston-Salem; a grandson, Bryan N. (Tara) Smitherman of East Bend; and a great-granddaughter, Cierra Lynn Smitherman of East Bend.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, at the East Bend Baptist Church by the Rev. David Brady and the Rev. Bobby Choplin. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. to lie in state. Burial will follow in the Macedonia Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 Tuesday evening at Huff Funeral Home in East Bend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Macedonia Cemetery Trust Fund, c/o Edward Angell, 3237 Butner Mill Road, East Bend, NC 27018.