Sumter, SC…Tommy Cole Smith, age 76, beloved husband of 36 years to Janet Larsen Smith, died on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the WBJ Dorn VA Medical Center.

Born in Fairhope, AL, he was the son of the late Henry Cole Smith and Lucille Heath Smith.  Known as TC to coworkers and friends, Tommy made an impact to those around him. His passion to put others first, as he ran away to the military when he was only 17, showed that. He served his country in both the Army and Air Force and was a part of the Vietnam war. He was proud to be a Vietnam veteran. Outside of being a personnel and safety manager, TC loved to share Christ with others. He was a large part of Promise Keepers as a volunteer coordinator in both Birmingham, AL and Columbia, SC. He started the men’s lay ministries at Bethesda Church of God as well as participating in a mission trip to Alaska.

TC was passionate about his family telling everyone how much he loved them. He worked hard to provide a great life for his beloved wife Janet and his princess daughter Tiffany, giving them everything they needed and so much more. His love reached beyond his biological daughter as he welcomed her friend, Angie, into their home as a second daughter, followed years later by his son-in-love Elvie. He viewed Elvie as the son he never had and was grateful to share his daughter with him. This love included taking him overseas to work in Cameroon and Sierra Leon in Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan before he retired. During his work travels he continued to share the gospel. He partnered in preaching with a translator in Sierra Leon to the local villagers. He even had the chance to share the gospel with the Bin Laden family on multiple occasions while in Saudi Arabia, bringing home gifts from them to Janet and Tiffany. While he was a man of few words, he impacted the lives of countless people around the globe. He was the best husband and daddy in the world.                                                                           

In addition to his wife Janet, he is survived by: a daughter, Tiffany Abney and her husband Elvie of Sumter; three brother in laws, Donnie Robbins of Luverne, AL, David Larsen and his wife Jan of Lucedale, MS and Edward Larsen and his wife Carolyn of Matagorda, TX; a sister in law, Carla Neely and her husband Bobby of Pascagoula, MS and three nieces, Jennifer White and her husband Timmy of Luverne, AL, Carol Robbins of Luverne, AL and Cindy Malone of Citronelle, AL.

He is preceded in death by two sisters, Vickie Robbins and Elizabeth Lewis.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm, at Bethesda Church of God with the Rev. H. Albert Sims officiating.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 29, 2021, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home.

You may view the service via live stream at www.bullockfuneralhome.com  and clicking on the obituary page of Tommy Cole Smith.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.