Obituary
Edgewater – Charles William Smith (Hardrock) went to his heavenly home on July 11, 2021, in his home surrounded by his family and friends. Hardrock was born, May 24, 1944, in Brevard, NC, the son of Elwert (Rusty) and Julia Clayton Smith. He had two sisters, Jean Smith Aiken, and Pat Smith Ashe.
Hardrock, in his early 20’s had a few jobs in Detroit including, mobile semi-truck tire changer for BF Goodrich, a crane operator moving railroad cars, a riveter building skyscrapers for his Uncle Pete Guston (his daddy’s brother-in-law) who owned Unit Steele Corporation in Detroit. He then returned home to Brevard and worked for Olin/Ecusta paper mill in Pisgah Forest for 25 years. At age 45 he retired on disability with health problems.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded by his sister Jean Aiken.
Hardrock and Cathy were married on November 21, 1981 and in 1992 moved from Rosman, NC to New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his daughter Missy and her husband Chad McCormick, his grandson Brayden, his sister Pat Ashe and numerous nieces and nephews.
A book of Hardrock’s life as a bootlegger’s son will be published soon and will be available on Amazon. The title will be “Son of a Bootlegger” Laughter Got Us Through The Tough Times.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Monday, July 19 at Bella Vista Baptist Church, Edgewater FL at 6:00pm. It will be broadcast on the Bella Vista Baptist Church Facebook page · 3232 S Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater, FL 32141
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Assoc. or the Dementia Foundation.
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