Ervin Edward "Eddie" Smith Jr.

Ervin Edward (Eddie) Smith Jr., of North Augusta died unexpectedly at his home Saturday, April 1, 2023, of medical complications. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Posey Funeral Directors’ Chapel, 1307 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, with Eryn Eubanks officiating. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Bellevue Memorial Gardens in Grovetown, Ga., in the Garden of Peace. Pallbearers will be Larry W. Sprowls, Jeremy Alva, Frank Sprowls and Charles Merritt III. Eddie was born in the Old University Hospital in Augusta on Sept. 3, 1952, the son of Ervin Edward Smith Sr. and Ethel Dora Maddox Smith. He attended Tubman and Butler schools in Richmond County before graduating from Washington High School in Pennsylvania. He was a talented floral artist employed locally by Martina’s Flowers; and with his childhood friend, Monty Pittman, at Monty’s House of Flowers/Flowers By Monty; and briefly at Fat Man’s Forest Costumes. He was known as a popular tribute performer in his early years and always loved music (especially Barbra Streisand, The Supremes and Celine Dion), fully worked crossword puzzles, loved classic TV shows and movies and read two to three books a week. Eddie and his life-long partner, Don Rhodes, were to celebrate their 40th anniversary in May. Eddie became a good friend of many music and political celebrities including Minnie Pearl, Barbara Mandrell, Brenda Lee, Zell Miller, Sharon Jones, Jeff Barnes, Carey Murdock, Flo Carter, Becky Hobbs, the Rev. Michael Guido and many more. He staffed the Georgia Music Booth at Fan Fair in Nashville for four consecutive years, was backstage at the Grand Ole Opry House for many country music awards shows, was backstage at the Daytime Emmy Awards in Radio City Music Hall, saw Queen Elizabeth II in London and attended scores of concerts. He was predeceased in death by his father and mother; brother, Charles Smith; sisters, Ann Arnold, Lois Sprowls and Jewel Laverne (Vernie)Thompson; and his beloved dogs Foxie, Rusty, Reba, Jasper, Will (Willard) and Jayme Brown. He is survived by his sister, Catherine Smith Sprowls, Evans, Ga., Dale Smith Wiggins, Appling, Ga., and Deborah Smith Hurst, North Augusta. Eddie would appreciate memorials made to any animal humane society or shelter. Posey Funeral Directors is in charge, especially Walker and Stephen Posey and Ben Major. Call (803) 278-1181 or visit the registry and watch live streaming of the service at poseyfuneraldirectors.com.

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Ervin Edward "Eddie" Smith Jr.

September 3, 1952 - April 1, 2023