Banner
Smith, born: 6/8/1928, died: 8/19/2020, Age: 92 - Flowery Branch, GA
Banner
Smith, born: 6/8/1928, died: 8/19/2020, Age: 92 - Flowery Branch, GA
Banner Smith passed away on August 19th , 2020 in Flowery Branch, GA at the
age of 92. He was born on June 8th, 1928 along with his identical twin brother
Kennett to Bill and
Sarah Smith in Greensboro, NC. In addition to his parents
and four siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jean Hoffner Smith of Salisbury, NC, and one of his grandsons, Shane Smith. Banner
served in the U.S. Army from 1946-1949, and was stationed in occupied Japan
after WW2. He was an accomplished Golden Gloves boxer as well as a
middle-distance runner in his youth, and he qualified for the 1948 Olympic
trials in the 1500 meters. A proficient guitarist and singer, he was known for
playing the harmonica with a neck holder while picking his 1950 Gibson that he
never replaced. Banner kept a large notebook in which he had written the words
to old mountain/bluegrass songs that he played throughout his life. Banner and
Jean raised their family in Tucker, Georgia. They were active members of
Tucker First United Methodist Church, and belonged to the Christian Friendship
Sunday School Class for 50 years. In later years, he was proud to be one of
the oldest members participating as a musician in the Church Street Station
Band. Banner retired from the Engineering Department at AT&T in the early
1990's after working with them throughout most of his life. He is survived by
five children - Colin Smith (Shelley), Leonard Smith (Jan), Melinda Knowles
(Andy), Maureen King (Bill), and Kyle Smith, along with 11 grandchildren and
four great-grandsons. Banner was a humble man of strong moral
character who
always put others before himself, and strove to live according to the
teachings of Jesus. He was well respected and loved by all who were fortunate
enough to know him. A graveside service was held Saturday, August 22nd at the
City Memorial Park Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to Tucker First United Methodist Church, Tucker,
Georgia. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Smith family. Online
condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.Banner Smith and his twin brother Kennett played checkers with a small group of us at Bojangles' on Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC. His daughter, Melinda Knowles of Raleigh introduced me to Banner and his brother in late 2016. Kenneth was living in Winston-Salem at the time and both wanted to play in Raleigh but at this time we had no group there, so we invited them to play with us in Greensboro, NC. Kenneth moving to Greenville, SC in 2/2017 and currently living in an assisted living home, and has Alzheimer's.
Home | Deceased Tournament Players