Fred Phillip Smith III: Obituary

Fred Phillip Smith III, age 79 passed away peacefully at his mountain home on June 23, 2016. Fred was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Fred Smith Jr. and Helen Gerstlauer.

He was a graduate of the University of Omaha in Nebraska with a degree in History. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served in the Armed Forces Radio and Television Division. He met and married his wife, Delphia Ann Hallman while in the United States Air Force. After the Air Force, he returned to his families roots in management of retail grocery markets.

Following the loss of Delphia to cancer in 2001, he fulfilled their dream of living in the mountains by moving to Murphy. He then met and married his devoted wife, Lorraine Mueller.

Fred was a member of Shepherd of the Mountains Church in Murphy where he was lay leader for the church at the time of his death. He was active in volunteer activities and choir. He enjoyed singing tenor in the church quartet and choir. He served his Lord through his church and community faithfully. He was a member of Cherokee County “Mountain Men”, Nehemiah Neighbors, Men’s Groups and Cherokee County Disaster Relief Program. He will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 39 years, Delphia Ann Hallman Smith, who died in 2001.

He is survived by wife, Lorraine Mueller Smith; a son, Fred “Phillip” Smith and wife Elizabeth; two daughters, Christine Vines and husband Chris of Alpharetta, GA; Suzanne Smith of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Barbara Delimont and husband Kenneth of Escondido, CA; brother, Norman Smith and wife Kathy of Tuscon, AR; grandchildren; Brittney Vines, Brandon Vines, Summer Smith Juarez, Ben Smith, Morgan Smith, Brieanna Edge and Alexis Edge; great grandson Xander; stepchildren, Ryan Mueller and wife Anna, Bradley Mueller and wife Carrie; stepgrandchildren, Luke, Alex, McKenzie and Lily.

Memorial services will be held at 2PM, Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at Shepherd of the Mountains Church. Pastor Al Beck will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the V.F.W. Post #10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post #96 and D.A.V. Chapter #73 and American Legion Post #532 of Hayesville and V.F.W. Post #6812 Hayesville.

The family ask that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in memory of Fred Phillip Smith III to Shepherd of the Mountains Church Building Fund at PO Box 1136, Murphy, NC 28906.

Arrangements were entrusted to Townson-Rose Funeral Home.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com