Wendell ‘Dale’ Smith, 57, of Tuscaloosa County, Al., and formerly of Bruce, died January 31, 2015. He was born April 20, 1957 in Pittsboro, the son of Frances Jean Lee Petty. He accepted Christ early in his life and was baptized. He began working for the Weyerhaeuser Company during his junior year in high school. He graduated from Bruce High School in 1976 and joined the Army National Guard. After being united in holy matrimony to Annie Kaye Bean, the couple moved to Columbus, where he continued to work for Weyerhaeuser and serve in the National Guard. The marriage produced two daughters. His interests included family vacations, hunting, fishing, hiking, weightlifting, and amateur photography.
He leaves fond and precious memories to his loving and devoted wife, Annie Smith, Tuscaloosa County, Al.; three daughters, Cassandria Dell Smith, Tuscaloosa County, Al.; Erica Darcel Smith (Douglas Marsh) of Atlanta, Ga., and Shawnette Radell Williams, Zion, Il.; mother, Frances Jean Petty, Big Creek; step-father, L.J. Petty; one sister, Tracy (Rickey) McGuirt, Pittsboro; four brothers, Bryant (Carolyn) Petty, Vardaman; Rondey (Minnie) Petty, Pittsboro; Charles (Betty) Johnson, Tulsa, Ok. and William (Clementine) Smith, Big Creek, and aunts, uncles, nephews and cousins.
His funeral service was Friday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at Van Hoose and Steele Funeral Home in Tuscaloosa, Al. with Min. Marcus Cotton officiating. Burial was in Alabama National Cemetery. Pallbearers were Malik Bean, Bryant Petty, Douglas Marsh, Charles Johnson, Austin Colburn, William Smith, Marty Bean and Rondey Petty.