Obituary of Carlton L. Smith

Carlton L. Smith, 95, of Fallsington, PA, while at home with his family, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 9, 2013. He was born March 4, 1918 in Randolph, VT, eldest son of Royal W. and Helen (Hopkins) Smith, reared in Brattleboro, attended public schools there before entering the Apprentice Training Program with General Electric Company at Schenectady, NY in 1937. He married G. Eleanore Bruce of Vernon, VT in 1940 and they began raising a family outside of Schenectady. The Lord changed those plans when He put a call upon their lives to serve Him in Cameroon, Africa which they did under the Presbyterian Board of Missions from 1951 - 1961. Returning to GE in 1962, Carlton worked in Schenectady until retirement in 1980. A young people's Bible study and prayer group which met in their home during this time touched many lives in the Schenectady area and well beyond. In 1982, they returned to Cameroon to repair the Halsey Memorial Press so that it might once again print scripture and educational materials to the Glory of God. Their six month adventure stretched to three years until health issues necessitated their return to the States. Carlton enjoyed working with tools and equipment whether it was in his basement workshop, balancing turbines at GE or repairing mechanical clocks. For years he worked the sound board at First Presbyterian Church, recording the services, duplicating and distributing the recordings to shut-ins who could no longer make it to church. He was an avid reader with wide interests though stories involving sailing did spark special attention. His love for missions and missionary needs was clearly reflected in his benevolences. He is survived by Gincie & Robert Clough of Esperance, NY, Karen OBrien of Lyndhurst, VA, Jennifer Smith of Columbia, SC, and Martha & Robert Stevens of Fallsington, PA; 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanore in 1993, his second wife, Frances in 2005 and his son, David in 2011. A visitation will be held at the Jones Funeral Home (1503 Union St Schenectady NY 12309) from 6-8PM on Monday March 11, 2013. The Funeral will be held at 11AM on Tuesday from the First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady. Internment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Memorial Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 115 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.