Lawrence Lyle Smith
July 24, 1958 — January 11, 2016
Lawrence Lyle Smith, age 57, of Sanford, North Carolina, died Monday, January 11, 2016, at his home with his two sons by his side.
He was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 24, 1958, to the late Richard Hugh Smith and Carol Faye Chatley Smith. Lawrence moved to North Carolina in 2009 and worked as an Engineering Technician for the Department of Defense at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He taught night school for the Precision Manufacturing Institute and was a founder and Board member for the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society and was involved in the North Western PA Railroad and Tooling Heritage Center. He was also very active in coaching various sports activities while his sons were young and was a member of Connect Church in Sanford. He served our country in the United States Army.
He is survived by two sons, Matthew Lawrence Smith and Justin Michael Smith both of North Carolina; a close companion Karen Carroway of Sanford, North Carolina; a brother, Hugh Chatley Smith and wife, Sandra, of Carlisle, Pa; and sister, Carole Renee Smith Walker of Carlisle, Pa.
A memorial service was held at Connect Church, 1344 Colon Road, Sanford, NC 27330 on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Thadd McElreath officiating. The family received friends following the memorial service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Connect Church Building Fund, 1344 Colon Road, Sanford, NC 27330; French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society, PO Box 632, Meadville, PA 16335 or North Western PA Railroad & Tooling Heritage Center, 22980 State Highway 198, Saegertown, PA 16433.
Burial will be private in Linesville Cemetery.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Hwy 6, Linesville, Pa.
Please share a condolence or memory of Lawrence for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.