Denise Smith

Denise Murray Smith, 65, of Greer, South Carolina, wife for 36 years of the late Carl Lee Smith, died at home on June 1, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia to the late James O. and LaMar W. Murray. Her family moved to Richmond, Virginia, and then to Greer, South Carolina. Denise excelled academically as well as musically, and she was active in church choirs from an early age. She was a graduate of Berry College where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in 1980. She later completed her master’s degree in education. Denise married her high school sweetheart, Carl Lee Smith, in 1979, at the end of her Junior year at Berry College. She was a partner in ministry with her husband at the various churches in which he served as pastor. They were appointed as Home Missionaries by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, serving in Brooklyn, New York for several years, before returning to South Carolina to serve in churches there. Once she and her family settled back home in Greer, South Carolina, she taught music in the Greenville County School District, and retired from teaching at Skyland Elementary School. Denise was a person of many talents, not the least of which was singing. Her music brought inspiration, joy, and comfort to many people through the years, and was an expression of her love of God. As chronic illness began to affect her singing, she applied herself to other artistic endeavors, choosing to not let what others would see as a disability affect her desire to learn and grow and serve in different ways. She could light up a room with her smile, and people loved being in her presence. As Proverbs 31:25 says, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.” Her life exemplified grace, faith, and courage in the face of lifelong physical challenges. Perhaps her greatest joy was in her children and grandchildren. She instilled in them her love of God and the importance of service to others. She provided an example to them of persevering with joy and faith through whatever life brought to her. Surviving are her children, Josh Smith of Greer, Maria Leigh Beasley (John) of Greenwood, South Carolina, and Mark Smith (Jaden) of Kenai, Alaska; grandchildren Silas, Owen, Porter, and Griffin Smith of Kenai, Alaska; and Marleigh and Naomi Beasley of Greenwood, South Carolina; and sister, Dr. Sharon Murray of Greer. The family expresses their gratitude to Dr. Michael Porter, Dr. Britt Boleman, and Dr. Billy Bolton of Prisma Health for their compassionate care of Denise through these many years, along with the many nurses and other healthcare personnel who have participated in her care. The family is also grateful to Via Health Partners Hospice for helping Denise and her family in her final days. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Brushy Creek Baptist Church, 4999 Old Spartanburg Road, Taylors, South Carolina 29687 at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Memorial gifts may be given to Set Free Alliance (setfreealliance.org), an organization which Denise supported, and which helps serve the needs of people and shares the Gospel in India, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Online condolences may be made to www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Denise Smith

December 6, 1957 - June 1, 2023