Johnny Wayne Smith

On August 6, 2024, Johnny Wayne Smith, 54, left this world unexpectedly to join his heavenly Father and all his family and friends that preceded him. Johnny was born and raised on an old dirt road named after his mom, Brenda, in Locust, NC. Johnny is survived by his son James Smith of the home. James is his pride and joy, they are the best of buddies. Johnny was born on October 24, 1969, to Richard and Brenda Smith of Locust. Brother Tony (Wendy) of Oakboro, and sister Amy of Locust. Johnny loved his nieces Breanna and Madison and Eleanor and his nephew Jackson and our newest addition to the family his great niece Isabella Grace who he was just playing with the other day and made her laugh so much. He was the graduating class of 1988 from West Stanly High School. He went on to do the only thing that he knew to do which was hard work. He was self-employed and worked on the farm making hay, growing corn and soybeans, tending to the animals and everything else that he needed to do. He did grading work with his son James and he was always tinkering and with an old tractor in the shop. He was a perfectionist about his old tractors; he would take them apart and go through them and sandblast them and paint them better than when they were brand new. His first tractor that he ever fixed up was an old John Deere G that was found growing up in the thicket and had been burnt. By the time he was done with it, it was better than new just because of the story behind it. Johnny was a Godly man that loved his Lord and Savior, he read his bible everyday and would be the first to tell you that you better get in church and get right with the Lord. Johnny was such a kind and gentle soul, very humble that always took time to stop and talk to you and see how you were doing. He always had a smile on his face. He never met a stranger, he was what people call “a good ole boy” and would do anything to help anybody. His last conversation with his son was shortly before he left this old world and he told James,”I’m heading home and I will be there waiting on you, buddy.” James, he is home and he is waiting for you, and granny he’s waiting for you to give you heck about snacking. Funeral services will be at 11 AM Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Freedom Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Wally Gilmer. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 – 7:30 Friday evening August 16, 2024, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Locust, NC.

Johnny Wayne Smith

October 24, 1969 - August 6, 2024