Roger Phillip Smith

Roger Phillip Smith, born December 19, 1937, passed on from this life on June 15, 2025. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, George and Bernice Smith and two sisters, Emily Smith and Bennie Ball. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Morris, her children Rev. Mike Harber (Elizabeth), Chris Harber (Melanie), and five grandchildren.

Prior to moving to Leicester, NC, Roger’s family lived in Mount Holly. He went to primary school at Belmont Abbey. While playing football at the abbey, Roger tackled a nun who’d caught the ball. He didn’t understand why he got in trouble for tackling the nun. Roger attended Leicester School from grades 6 to 12, where he loved playing baseball and basketball. While a student at Leicester, he also enjoyed dancing with the Bascom Lamar Lunsford’s clogging troupe.

He was a kind, gentle man who would not kill a fly—literally. He would catch them and put them outside. Sometimes called the “cat whisperer,” Roger was a lover of all animals who instinctively knew he was a good soul. His cat Sophie can attest to that.

In his adult life Roger was an avid golfer which helped him become great friends with his brothers-in-law. Roger brought his wife Wilma to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina where she met her spirit, and he gave her the freedom to which she had always aspired. Roger was loved deeply by his friends and extended family, and he will be greatly missed. Last rites were administered by his stepson Mike.

A graveside service with military honors will take place at 11:00 on Thursday, June 19, at Calvary Churchyard, Fletcher, NC.

Groce Funeral Home’s Patton Avenue team is assisting the family.