Willie Clyde Smith

Mr. Willie Clyde Smith was born April 20, 1932 to the late Alex "Sellec" and Louise Johnson Smith. He attended elementary school in Calhoun Falls and later attended school in Abbeville at JS Wright High. He served in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge. After returning from the Army, Willie Clyde worked several jobs with the City of Calhoun Falls, termite extermination company, Rocky River Plant, Pirelli Cable, and back to Rocky River Plant, later known as Mohawk Industries, where he retired after a total of 35 years as a faithful employee.

Willie Clyde or "Brother", as he was known by his family, met and married the late Mary Jearldine Smith on July 14, 1962. To this union were born two children, Deloise Ann and Willie (Theresa W.) Smith. He was also blessed to have another son, Billy Ray Ashmore. Though not biologically his son, he was loved as much as he loved his other two children.  Billy affectionately called him "Pops".  Willie Clyde also had two other nieces and a nephew that he and Jearldine helped raise as their own, Joi and Merry Boyd and Michael Ashmore.

"Clyde" as he was known by some, loved singing quartet music! He was a member of the Nazareth Gospel Singers in his earlier years. After several members moved away, he later joined Floyd Johnson and the Silvertones. People loved hearing him lead the song, "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross".  He was known all around for his "sharp tenor" voice. After he retired from the Silvertones, he would sing at church with his children and the brothers formed the Brothers of Mt. Olive where he again was able to use his beloved talent of singing.

He will be greatly missed by his children, Deloise and Willie; three grandchildren, Greg Ashmore, Kameka (Deon) Washington, and Kimberly Ashmore; four sisters-in-law, Barbara Crawford, Sarah (George) Boyd, Ida (Willie) Hudson, and Evelyn (Henry) Gray; three brothers-in-law: Fred (Nancy) Ashmore, Robert (Mattie-deceased) Allen, and Sudan (Martha-deceased) Murray; special friends: Perry Murray, Hallie Bryant, and Alice Banks; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Willie Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife; his son, Billy; siblings, James Alex and Mary Rachel Smith; and three close friends he considered his brothers, John Wesley Raindrop, Robert L. Calhoun, and Archie Ware. 

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Mt. Olive Church of God Holiness - Calhoun Falls.  The interment will follow at Golden Hill Cemetery.  Public viewing will be held Friday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Marcus D. Brown Funeral Home - Calhoun Falls.

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