Funeral service will be at 2pm Monday, July 29, 2024, at Crestwood Chapel for Harold David Smith, age 71, of Gadsden. David passed away on Thursday July 25, 2024. Brother Jimmy Jones will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Funeral Home will direct services.
David was a lifelong resident of Etowah County, a graduate of Etowah High School Class of 1971, and a graduate of Jacksonville State University. He had taught at Calhoun County Vocational School and had retired with 30 years' service from Gadsden State Community College as an Instructor of Machine Tool Technology. He was an avid University of Alabama fan. David loved working in his garden and bush hogging.
He was a kind caring man, a special friend to all who knew him. He was known for his big smile. He truly loved teaching and loved all his students. He instilled in them the desire and confidence to learn and succeed and continued to help many even after the co9mpleted his program. He carried several teams to the Skills USA competitions over the years where his teams always placed well. He was an encourager to friends, family, co-workers and students. His kind smile and bright smile will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents Harold L. Smith and Ruth Cohen Smith.
He is survived by his daughter Jessica Rita Smith; granddaughter Cheyenne Danielle Smith; sister Carol Smith Hill; nieces Shannon Hill and Crystal Finley (Chris); great nephews Johnny Finley and Travis Finley; great niece Nichole Finley; former spouse Rita Burns Smith (Frank) and many dear friends.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Finley, Josh Russell, Guy Bryan, Chuck Burns, Phillip Cohen, Barrett Butler, and Ross Butler.
Honorary pallbearers are his Gadsden State Community College Coworkers and former students.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on the day of the service from noon until 2pm.