Mr. Larry D. Smith
(August 31, 1953 - October 22, 2023)
Viewing Location: Leevy's Funeral Home 1831 Taylor Street Columbia, South Carolina
Viewing Date & Time: Friday, October 27, 2023 / 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Funeral Location: Central Baptist Church 3625 Clement Road Columbia, South Carolina
Funeral Date & Time: Saturday, October 28, 2023 / 1:00 P.M.
Interment Location: Lincoln Cemetery 4900 Farrow Road Columbia, South Carolina
Mr. Larry D. Smith….
Not sure when the shock will subside of your passing.
However, one thing that will never come to pass; are the times we supported each other along the way.
There were many long conversations about life, family and business. Candidly, your honesty and sage advice over years have proven to be timely and invaluable.
Only God knows when one’s hour has arrived; I won’t question the almighty timing. I’ll just say, “Thank You” for the time and wisdom we shared over the years.
Your time spent making a difference in your community was well spent. The village of Florence (SC) are the real winners and will continue to reap the harvest of your labor for years to come.
So long my friend, may you rest in peace.
Thurman
Dallas, Texas
I was saddened to learn of Mr. Smith’s passing. His impact on and love for the community are far-reaching. Mrs. Smith and the entire Smith Family are in my thoughts and prayers and have my sincerest condolences and sympathy.
I’m terribly saddened to hear of Larry Smith’s passing. He was a kind, generous, funny, sincere and noble man, whose life made a difference to many others, including mine. My sincerest sympathies to Diana, the Smith family and the many others who mourn his passing.
Sending my sincere condolences to the family of Trooper Ken Montgomery. May you find peace and support for your family at this time.
Trooper Maree Rogers
Los Angeles Chapter of the 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association and Life member #111
My deepest and heartfelt condolences 🙏
Peace be with you 🙏
My prayers and condolences are being sent to the Smith family. He will be missed greatly, and his legacy will live on forever.
My deepest sympathies to the Smith family. Larry, thank you for all you did in service to your community. Blessed Ascension.
Sorry for your lost, I will miss you my friend.
My sincere condolences to the Smith family. Mr Smith created a legacy like none other in this area.
He became the eyes and the voice so that the community could be informed and stay abreast of current issues
He was generous and professional throughout his journey. He set and maintained a positive standard for journalism
My prayers are with the family.
Diane, IAm lost for words but know that Leo and I are praying for you and the family. Sorry I want be able to be there in person know that We love you ! May God comfort you at this time .
To the Smith and Wells family. My sincere condolences. I’ve known them for years and they have always treated me nice and they are very successful people. I pray the Lord continues to lift you all up. You’ve been through a lot within the last couple of years. Continue to stay in GOD’S hand the greatest comforter. Love you much .
Diana,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. We pray for strength and peace for you all.
Resubmitted to correct typos-/
Diana
I am somewhat at a loss for words but I want you to know that I share in your grief. Larry was a trailblazer who gave a voice to many who otherwise would have been silenced. He was indeed one of the voices crying out in the wilderness as an advocate for the “least of these.”He was a servant, community leader, pioneer, and friend to many. His presence in the Pee Dee and the state of South Carolina will be sorely missed. Larry and I spoke earlier this year about the possibility of me joining with him as he prepared to retire from the Community Times. I now understand that he was simply preparing the way ahead to continue his legacy. Well done, Larry, good and faithful servant. Your labor was not in vain and we shall continue your work! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Diana
I am somewhat at a loss for words but I want you to know that I share in your grief. Larry was a trailblazer who gave a voice to many who otherwise would have been silenced. He was indeed one of the voices crying out in the wilderness as an advocate for the “least of these.”He was a servant, community leader, pioneer, and friend to many. His presence in the Pee Dee and the state of South Carolina will be sorely missed. Larry and I spoke earlier this year about the possibility of me joining with him as he prepared to retire from the Community Times. I now understand that he was simply preparing the way ahead yo continue his legacy. Well done, Larry, hood and faithful servant, your labor was not in vain and we shall continue your work! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
My condolences and prayers are with the Smith family. Mr. Smith was a source of inspiration and information for the community. His passing will create a void in our society.
Rest Sir! Thanks for everything
To Diana and Family: My deepest condolences to you. My journalism classmate made a enormous impact in media in this region. Providing content, opinion as well as employment for the communities over the decades. He will be missed in a mighty way. Much love to you and your family . We will be praying!!!
My sincere condolences and prayers to the family. I really enjoyed his papers every week in Florence, S.C. Rest well 🙏🏾
Diana,
Sending Prayers for comfort and strength for you and your family.
Larry was a true trailblazer.
Mr. Smith is now an ancestor. I thank him for always providing a space for Black news, which kept communities informed. He knew that information was powerful. Mr. Smith left a historical record through his publications. History will remember this great man. Rest now with our heavenly Father. Well done.
My sincere condolences to the Smith family. Praying for peace and comfort.
My deepest condolences to the Smith family. Sir Larry Smith was a trailblazer in journalism. and publishing. He published the stories of the community every week that kept us in the circles of life. When the Pee Dee Minority Health Office cut the ribbons to open our doors, he was there taking pictures, interviewing. and mingling with the staff and board capturing the moments. Larry provided a platform for Minority Health Equities for decades. Sir Larry Smith your legacy will live on. Rest sir for the father awaits your spirit. Good night I will see you in the morning.
Pee Dee Minority Health Inc.
Mrs. Smith and family,
My prayers are with you and your family. I will always be appreciative that he published in his newspaper that I would be practicing law once I started as an attorney. I am thankful that he did that for me. May God be with all of you during your time of bereavement.
Thank you, Father, for blessing this man-Larry D. Smith-to be a blessing to countless others 🙏! He gave voice to and recorded in print the history of Black Pee Dee!
Your Grace and Mercy, Dear God, to his family and all of us who remain.
“Good night, sweet prince,
pray to see you in the morning”.
On behalf of The Florence Section NCNW, please accept our heart felt sympathy. Mr Smith was one of our honorees and such a valued part of the community! He will be missed!
I am grateful to have reconnected with Larry last year after more than 50 years since high school. While I celebrate his life, I extend my sincere condolences to the Smith family.
My heart and condolences go out to the Smith family. May God give you strength, peace, comfort, and understanding. May Larry rest in peace and power.
My sincere condolences to the Smith Family. May God put his arms around you during this very difficult time.
My most sincere heartfelt condolences to the Smith family.
Condolences to Diana, Otto, and the Smith family during this time of bereavement. Larry was a huge supporter to us as a business owners (formerly Davis Drycleaners: Florence & Latta, South Carolina)(mother the late Mrs. Bertha McCall Davis). Larry always shared encouraging words of wisdom and motivation. What a great gentleman and community servant.
Our deepest condolences to Larry
God has called a member of our TEAMM home. Brother Larry in life, he approached it as he played football with heart and the spirit to win. May God bless your family and may He welcome you to the gridiron of heaven, where everyone on the team is a winner.
Diana, my deepest sympathy to you and the rest of the family. We have shared many good years together. I’m truly sadden to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a true advocate of change. He will be missed by many. I wl keep the family in my prayers. 💔💔💔
Condolences from the Houston Sun Family to the family of Mr. Larry D. Smith. May God continue to bless and keep you now and in the future. We have suffered losses at the Houston Sun and we know that the Lord will guide you.
my sincere condolences – may all your memories be Blessings
Mrs Smith and family
Losing a loved one is also difficult on those who love them and those of us that also admired and respected him. I pray that God opens his arm wide to welcome Larry home. May God wrap his loving arms around you and provide you comfort knowing that he is with his Heavenly Father.
On behalf of The Charlotte Post Publishing Company, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Larry Smith for your loss. May God continue to watch over you during this challenging time.
I PRAY FOR PEASE AND BLESSING FOR YOUR FAMILY.
BLACK PRESS MATTER
Farewell, dearest comrade. Thank you for joining us in our fight for justice. The fight will continue, wrong will not last forever. May God continue to bless and strengthen your family.
Rest in power, Sir.
I was shocked and saddened to hear the news that your husband and my friend transitioned. I enjoyed talking to him occasionally about the struggles and successes of publishing, and I was often encouraged by his perspectives. Please know that I am praying for your strength during these difficult times.
Praying out loud!
I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Smith family. I have had the pleasure of knowing Larry for many years through NNPA. I have found Larry to be such a great person with humorous personality. What a wonderful guy. We both shared a common denominator and that was being from South Carolina. Therefore, we always had a lot to talk about. He will be greatly missed. My Prayers and thoughts are with the family. May God give you comfort in knowing that he is in a good place and you will meet again.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Smith and the Smith family. I pray for your strength and peace during this difficult time
Condolences to the Smith family during this time of bereavement. Larry was a huge help to me as a business owner. I will always be grateful to him for sharing ideas and encouraging words of wisdom! What a wonderful community servant.
My condolences and sincere prayers to the Smith Family. I pray for peace and comfort for your family. I went to A C Flora with Larry. God Bless You All.
My prayers and deepest condolences to the Smith Family. I went to Elementary School with Larry and Otto. Thinking of each of you during this difficult time and may God give you comfort as you deal with the the loss of your loved one. To God be the Glory.
Accept my sincere condolences for your loss. May God, help you get through this difficult time and ease your pain.
Praying for Healing and Strength and Comfort
Diane please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family. MPHS classmate. Fredrica Muldrow Brailsford.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.”
(Psalms 116:15 NIV) Diana, truly Larry was indeed a faithful servant. I am praying for you and extending heartfelt condolences to you and the entire Smith family.
My sincere condolences to the Smith family. you all have been a wonderful blessing to the Florence and surrounding areas, including the New Life Church. our continual prayers are certainly with you during this difficult time 🙏.
Condolences to the ‘Smith family in the passing of their love one our beloved classmate/friend just know his visit here will be remember and he will be ‘greatly miss for years to come may our ‘Lord and ‘Savior continue to protect and watch over the family during their time of bereavement in ‘Jesus Name Amen!
Condolences to the ‘Smith family in the passing of their love one our beloved classmate/friend just know his visit here will be remember and he will be ‘greatly miss for years to come may our ‘Lord and ‘Savior continue to protect and watch over the family during their time of bereavement in ‘Jesus Name Amen!
Sending our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We pray that you find the peace and comfort that only the Lord can provide. Our deepest sympathies
Diana,
William and I are praying for you and your family. You and Larry have touched so many lives. To God be the glory!
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. Another angel is entering Heaven 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I thank God that I was able to spend much time with you in the last few weeks. You will truly be missed and continously loved. Get your much needed rest uncle Larry. Love you forever. Fly high you’ve earned your 🪽 🪽 🕊 ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Deedee
Our deepest condolences. Larry will be me missed.
Frank and Windy Carson-Smith
My wife Ida and I extend our sincere prayer and deep condolences to the Smith family. I have know Larry for years. We had shared visions for the community and serve together to make Florence a better place. Mr. Smith will be missed. To the family, may God give you peace, strength, and comfort in this most difficult time.
Jimmie Deas,
Pastor New Life Church
My wife Andrea and I would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathy to the Smith Family during this time of tremendous loss. The journalistic void that has been left in the Florence Community and to the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina is immeasurable. He gave voice to the voiceless, providing a much-needed counter to the mainstream media. 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. We pray God’s blessings upon the Smith Family.
Thinking of you with heartfelt sympathy. In this time of sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”2 Corinthians 1:3-4