C. Bernard Smith

Carl Bernard Smith, 88, of 2782 Odell School Road in Concord, passed into his eternal reward in the arms of Jesus on October 31st, 2025.

A lifelong resident of Cabarrus County, Bernard was born on November 15th, 1936, to Carl Lankford Smith and Gertrude Elizabeth High Smith, both now deceased. He was raised with his siblings in the shadow of Gilwood Presbyterian Church in rural Cabarrus County. Bernard was a 1954 graduate of Odell High School.

On June 30th, 1957, Bernard married the love of his life, Dolores Dobson Smith, with whom he shared marriage and family for 67 years, separated only by her passing on April 14th, 2025. Three children were born to their union…Matt, Joe and Tracy. He was a life-long member of Gilwood Presbyterian Church, serving at various times as Deacon, Elder, Clerk of Session and Building Fund Treasurer.

Bernard was initially employed by Cannon Mills but was hired and trained as a machinist by Douglas Aircraft Company. Following that company’s demise, he found work in the trade at Quality Machine Shop, AMP Inc., and IBM Corporation, from which he retired in 2001. After retirement, he farmed the land on which he grew up, enjoyed his morning trips for breakfast at Hardee’s and the company and support of his wife and children. He also did maintenance tasks for the second love of his life, Gilwood Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bernard was predeceased by his daughter, Tracy Smith Bridgers, brother Glenn Preston Smith and an unnamed infant brother. He is survived by his sister Reba Nell Smith Hannah, Sons Matt and Joe, a son-in-law, Chuck Bridgers, a brother-in-law, Phillip Walters, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Gilwood Presbyterian Church, 2993 Odell School Road in Concord with Pastor Katie Perkins Sloan and Pastor Alan Buckner officiating. The family will receive friends at 2:00 PM, with the service to follow in the church sanctuary at 3:00 PM. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Gilwood Presbyterian Church Building Fund, or to Hospice of Cabarrus County. Whitley Funeral Home is serving the Smith family in their time of grief.