The service of Mr. Smith will be live streamed on the Facebook page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor on Saturday, October 24, 2020 and Thursday, October 29, 2020.
1SG Alfred Wendell Smith, the son of the late Mrs. Mary Louise Smith Moody and the late Mr. Earl Holley Moody was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 9, 1936 and departed this life peacefully in his home in Durham, NC on Friday, October 16, 2020.
He joined Union Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Hammond in 1992.
He was educated in Baltimore Public Schools and was a 1953 graduate of Banneker High School. He pursued a career in the United States Army and retired as a 1SG, E-8. "Top" or "Smitty" as he was affectionately called did several tours of duty to include Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Ord, CA serving as a Drill Sergeant for 9 years. He served as a Field Artillery Military Occupational Specialist and completed 3 Tours in Germany and 2 Tours in Vietnam. Smitty served as the Chief of Firing Battery during both tours in Vietnam. A Decorated Soldier, he was the recipient of the following awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal 7th Award, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation w/Palm, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and 4 Overseas Service Bars.
Stationed in Bamberg, Germany, he decided to retire and met a lovely lady that he wined and dined all over Europe. They were married and to this union there are his sons, Christopher W. (Susan) Steward of Palo Alto, CA, John W. Smith of Durham, NC, and Earl A. (Natalie) Smith of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Crystal Elena Smith of Durham, NC, and 1 daughter-in-love, Keisha Moore of Durham, NC.
His Grandchildren whom he adored as much as they adored him so affectionately called him"I-Daddy" (a name given him by his oldest granddaughter Aniya when she was a toddler) are Nicholas Steward, Jaime Steward, Kiaya Gregg, Jeremiah Gregg, Ava Gregg, Aiden Crutchfield, Zora Smith, Jayde Smith, Riley J. Smith, Serenity Smith, Kelise Duncan, Kourtne Brown, Aniya Jones, Christian Jones, Reina Brunson; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Lizzie S. Kee and extended members of the Kee and Carver-Vereen families, along with other relatives and friends.
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