Mr. David Lee Smyre, 63, was born in Iredell County on December 27, 1959, to the late Robert Lee Smyre Jr. and Shirley Mae Dalton Smyre. He departed this life on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
David was affectionately known by his family and friends as “Daddy Dave.” He was a graduate of North Iredell High School and Catawba Valley Technical College. Earlier in life he was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and later he became a member of the Kingdom of God Life Ministries.
David proudly served his country in the United States Army as a motor transport operator. He was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Badge with M16 Rifle Bar, and Drivers Badge. His hobbies included riding motorcycles, fishing, grilling, working on cars, pitching horseshoes, hunting, and guns. He was married to the love of his life, Fannie Mimi Tate Smyre.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother.
He leaves to cherish the memory of his life his wife, Fannie Mimi Tate Smyre; children, LeBron (Kisha) Hall of Statesville, N.C.; Natasha (Daren) DeLong of Waldorf, Md.; LaKisha Smith of Charlotte, N.C.; and Keli (David) Mercurius of Statesville, N.C.; two sisters, Teresa (Joey) Davidson of Statesville, N.C., Beverly Evans of Harmony, N.C.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Elaine (James) Dalton of Statesville, N.C.; Charles Tate of Asheville, N.C.; Wanda Tate of Charlotte, N.C., Lisa (Maurice Sr.) Hopper of Concord, N.C., and Rita Chipley of Statesville, N.C.; and Charles Tate of Asheville, N.C.; six grandchildren, LeKia Hall, Hasim Hall, Alexandria Morell, Shaquez Smith, Allie Mercurius, and Marlee Mercurius; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home. Burial will take place on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery in Salisbury, N.C.
Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Smyre at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Smyre family.
Our deepest sympathy to the family. Our prayer for you is that God will grant rest & peace to your hearts. Through the years Bill has shared many stories of his years of working with David. He always enjoyed talking with David whenever they met in later years. God Bless. Bill & Joyce Masters
Prayers for his family.