Shirley June Smith Obituary (2022)

Shirley June Smith, formerly of Beaufort, passed away December 6 at McLeod Hospice House in Florence at the age of 92. Mrs. Smith was known as June to her family and friends. June was born in Elwood, Indiana to George and Gladys Krebs on June 1, 1930. Her mother soon passed away and her father married Violet Krebs, who cared lovingly for her during her growing up years and later lived with her family in Beaufort. Upon graduating from Elwood High School, June was married to Darrell Max Smith in 1948. Darrell Max enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served for 30 years. The family moved often as a result and lived in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Tennessee, California, Hawaii, Virginia, and South Carolina. Beaufort was considered their home, having lived there on several assignments and after retirement. Wherever they were stationed, June and Max served faithfully in a local Baptist church. The last church that they were members of was The Baptist Church of Beaufort where they were active for many years. She served in varied ministry capacities, including hospitality and the church nursery. She was involved in long-term volunteer missions at the Baptist Hospital in Ajloun, Jordan and in Hawaii. She also went on a brief mission trip to St. Lucia where she taught cake decorating to the women there. As a military wife, June's primary focus was caring for her family and sometimes parenting alone while her husband was deployed to Korea, Vietnam, Okinawa, and other short-term assignments. Already an adept hostess, June learned cake decorating skills and operated a catering business out of her home. She also taught cake decorating classes in Beaufort and Jasper counties through the community college. She learned floral arranging and often was able to use this skill to minister to others. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Darrell Max Smith, her husband of 66 years, passed away in 2014. June then left her beloved Beaufort to reside in a retirement center for seven years. The last seven months of her life were spent at McLeod Hospice House where she was lovingly cared for by the staff. June is survived by a son, Darrell Alan Smith and his wife Cathy of Denmark, South Carolina and a daughter Janelle Margaret Tripp and her husband Doug of Lennox, South Dakota, as well as five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at The Baptist Church of Beaufort on Tuesday, December 13 at 11:00 AM. Rev. Landon Collins will officiate. Anderson Funeral Home in Beaufort is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to McLeod Hospice House at 1203 East Cheves Street, Florence, South Carolina 29506.