Monroe "Shine" Smith

Chester Monroe “Shine” Smith, 88 passed peacefully at home with his children surrounding him on Friday, December 22, 2023. Mr. Smith was born on June 19,1935 to Chester and Ida Faye Smith in Forsyth County. Monroe adopted a nickname of “Shine” in his younger days. Most friends and family knew him by this nickname. Shine retired from Reynolds Tobacco Company with 37 ½ years of service. 

Shine’s true love was farming. Along with his life long love for farming, he also enjoyed the beach, and hunting and fishing with his sons. 

Shine was a member of Glenview Baptist Church for many years where he took on the role of Deacon. He was involved in the underground evangelism to spread the word of God worldwide by producing and distributing bibles in the 1970s. He served as a traveling layman witnessing to many churches in the area and spreading the word of God. 

He later became a long standing member of Oakview Baptist Church. Monroe was not only a loving father to his own four children but to eighteen foster children as well. In addition to his parents, Monroe was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty M Smith, a son, Shawn D Smith, and a great grandson River K Smith. Monroe is survived by a daughter, Karen K Smith, two sons, Mark M Smith (April), Jeffrey K Smith (Shelby), 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 2 very special pups Mya & Pixie. 

Monroe's biggest passion was to share God’s Unfailing Love and to lead others to Jesus Christ. He was constantly heard saying, “God has been so so good to me”!