DATELINE: LAKE VIEW, SC

Obituary for Mr. Paul Wayne Smith

Mr. Paul Wayne Smith passed away peacefully on August 23, 2025, at the age of 82, at his home in Lake View, SC. He was born December 11, 1942, to the late Asa Paul Smith and Annie Bell Thompson Smith.
A funeral service will be on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 2:00pm, at First Baptist Church in Lake View. A visitation will start at 1:00pm prior to the service in the Church.
Mr. Wayne was a resident of Lake View, SC, and a graduate of Lake View High School. He did go to Francis Marion University for a while to pursue courses he thought would benefit him later in life. He had a very generous heart, loved working with children, had a strong work ethic, and could say and do things that would promote a laugh in him as well with others almost immediately. He was a passionate Lake View Wild Gators fan and also a HUGE fan of the SC Gamecocks! He looked forward to going to the Gamecocks' games with Mr. Boston Page. They had a good time - - - precious memories!!
Mr. Wayne joined the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduation from high school and would later tell us he did not think he would come because it was tough training!!! After leaving the Marine Corps, he became a SC Highway Patrolman working in different counties in SC (also with the DMV). He also worked with the Marion Police Dept. for a while followed by working with the Lake View School System before retirement. Mr. Wayne was a dedicated and faithful member of Kemper Baptist Church all his life until moving his membership in 2019 to Florence Baptist Temple. He served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher for several years trying to do what he could in serving our Lord and Master.
Mr. Wayne is survived by his wife Jean Smith, his son Geoffrey Smith, granddaughters Hailey Smith and Hailey's closest friend Michalaya Dent, sister Barbara Smith Howle (Bobby), brother Johnny Smith (Sally), and nephews Billy Pollock, Darrell Smith Jr, David Smith, Brian Sweat, Jamie Sweat, and a niece Gwendolyn Butts. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Darrell Smith.
The family would like to thank the employees of Agape Hospice for the excellent care they gave Mr. Wayne while he was under their care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to your local church. The family sincerely appreciates the love, support, and prayers shown to them during this time.