Dickie Smith Sports, 77 of Fayetteville passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at his home with his loved family by his side.
Dickie Smith Sports, was born on November 16, 1942 to the late Bill and Ara Sports in Robeson County, N.C. In his years of growing up, Dickie was an excellent football, basketball and baseball player where he lettered in all three sports at Massey Hill High School. After graduating high school, Dickie worked as an Insurance salesman, worked with his brother Joe Sports before beginning his primary career as a Bus Driver for Trailways Bus lines. It was with Trailways bus lines that he mastered his defensive driving skills and used these experiences to earn a Million Mile Safe Driving Award from the Company. After serving with Trailways bus lines, Dickie began a 2nd career with American Greetings Card Company as an Installation Manager. If you bought an American Greeting Card between the years of 1990 to 2008 there is a very good chance you selected a card from the fixtures that Dickie was responsible for installing as he serviced most all stores throughout central and eastern N.C.
While Dickie was working with Trailways Bus Company, he had a small car loan with Commercial Credit Corporation. It was the payment of this loan that lead to him to the desk of the most beautiful loan Finance Officer he had ever seen. He was so impressed with this lady, he eventually asked her to marry him. This is where the love story of Dickie and Nan began. They were married on December 31, 1967 and from this date they were happily married for 52 years and 8 months. Together, Dickie and Nan raised two children, Kelley Shantelle Sports and William Thomas Sports in Fayetteville N.C.
Dickie was very involved with his community and the children’s activities. He tirelessly worked to provide for his family and was always involved in his children’s extracurricular activities. Coaching baseball and assisting with softball were activities that touched many young peoples lives and his commitment in these areas helped shape the baseball programs in the community.
In 2005 Dickie retired from American Greetings Card Company and went into another full-time job of taking care of his mother. For 12 years, Dickie and Nan most single handedly provided for the needs of his mother. When the going got tough, she knew she could count on Dickie to provide for her. Dickie took care of his mother until her last breath! It was this love that he had for his mother that is so indicative of his character, that he truly loved his family.
Dickie lived his life to serve the Lord. There are not many people that knew of Dickie that did not receive a testimony of his love for God. In John 13:34 Jesus gave us a new command: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. As instructed in Matthew 22:37 The Greatest Commandment of all is to love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Dickie followed this commandment well and he faithfully exercised the command of love for one another.
Dickie wanted his life to be a living testament to God and he wanted today to be about God and His Kingdom. Celebrate the life Dickie shared with each of us and know that his eternal life has begun. Let all praise be to God for the memories we share of Dickie!
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 12:30 pm at Jesus First Church with Pastor Gary Leviner, officiating. Burial will follow in the Proctor Family Cemetery in Parkton. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 11-12:30 pm.
Online condolences may be sent to www.jerniganwarren.com
Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayettevile, NC 28301.
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