Thomas Lee Smith Sr., 66, of 360 NC 37N, Gates, N.C., died Aug. 16, 2005 in Gates. He was a native of Gates County and the son of Sophie Piland Smith and the late Leroy Smith.

He was retired from Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. He was a member of New Middle Swamp Missionary Baptist Church in Corapeake, N.C., where he was a trustee.

He is survived by his wife, Shirtley G. Smith; one daughter, Tonia L. Smith of Hampton; two sons, Bishop Thomas L. Smith Jr. of Memphis, Tenn. and Gregory Smith (Jacqueline) of Virginia Beach; his mother, Sophie Piland Smith of Gates; four sisters, Winnie Carter of Chesterfield, Shirley Williams of Baltimore, Md., Leora Dail of Silver Spring, Md. and Rita Dail of Suffolk; two brothers, George C. Smith (Sheila) of Elizabeth City, N.C., and Julie C. Smith of Gates; eight grandchildren; aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Felicia Smith.

The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 in New Middle Swamp Baptist Church in Corapeake by Bishop Thomas L. Smith Jr. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Aug. 20, 2005 in Crocker Funeral Home.