Obituary of Gerald Spencer Smith, Jr.

Gerald Spencer Smith, Jr., age 62, son of Gerald S. and Sylvia Housend Smith, Fox Chase, Greensboro passed Monday evening, March 6 in Wesley Long Hospital following an extended illness. 

He is survived by his parents, his sister, Lisa Smith, and his loving partner of 20 years, Cindy Bowman and maternal aunt Mary Ann Housend (James) Hawkins of St. Simons, GA. Paternal aunts are June S. Barnett (Tom - deceased) of Oxford, GA and Jacquelyn S. Sheppard (Glenn) Kansas City.  His uncle, Billy Housend, McRae, GA, preceded him in death.  He has no surviving grandparents. Spencer was very close to his partner Cindy’s family as well and will be remembered for his love for her family and their meals together.

Spencer had 11 first cousins, and he loved to share stories of his childhood times spent with them. The first-born grandchild and cousin on both paternal and maternal sides, Spencer was greatly loved.  He is remembered for his extraordinary musical gifting with the guitar, his exceptional singing voice, humor and fun when he was with them on family occasions. Many other relatives and close friends also join in mourning and celebrating his new life in Heaven.

Spencer was born in Charlotte January 18, 1962 and moved with his family to Greensboro at age three. He graduated from Grimsley High School in 1980 and from Elon College 1992 with a Degree in Business.  He worked in the insurance field for many years and for two family businesses, the last being the Gerald Smith Company.

His lifelong passion was golf, guitar, singing, music, especially The Beatles, and cheering for the Carolina Tar Heels.  He met his life partner, Cindy, while singing karaoke.  He spent many happy days on numerous golf courses, but he especially liked playing The Cardinal, where he was a member of The Cardinal Country Club.  He volunteered annually with the Wyndham Golf Tournament and made frequent trips to Myrtle Beach with his friends to golf.   He was a member of the Jaycee Old Timers, and The Elks.  

He had a special group of friends who included his “golf buddies” and friends from his childhood who remained close through the years.

He cherished all the times spent with family and friends and will be greatly missed.  He will forever be remembered for his kindness and compassion to others.

Memorial Services will be held at Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services, Kernersville, NC at 11 a.m. on March 18 followed by internment at Westminster Gardens, Greensboro. Spencer loved a celebration like no other, so please join us to celebrate his life and memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to First Tee of the Triad, PGA Hope, International Prayer Ministries, the American Heart Association, or any charity close to the donor’s heart.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com