Stephen Smith

Stephen Jay Smith, 36, of Parkton, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Stephen's love will go on through his wife, Beth, who he loved for 23 years; his sweet and loving little girl, Kayleigh (KJ); and his mini-me, Kenzie.

Stephen will be missed by his mother and bonus father, Brenda and Eddie Carver; his father and bonus mother, Neelis and Michelle Smith; and his sisters, Lindsey Smith and Brittany Bunce. His girls were his world, and he loved his friends and family more than anything.

The love for softball and his Carolina Change-Up family were a close second. The "softball world" has lost an AMAZING coach who helped and changed the lives of so many "athletes". His passion to "teach the game" was never unnoticed. When his players "looked lost as last year's Easter egg", he helped them find themselves back "to the love of the game".

Stephen also told his players a great coach taught him "heart makes it happen" and somehow he made them believe they can achieve anything. They knew when it was "time to pay the rent" , and when their "back was against the wall", he was there "riding with them", so they would "knuck up" and "sweep them out the way".

As we take Stephen to his final "ship" and say our goodbyes to the happiest man with the most contagious laugh any could pick out, he would want us all to remember "nothing is given , everything is earned" and "there is no free lunch", but always "play ball", laugh, "have fun", and "never give up".

To my bud, I have loved you since the day you asked if you could be my daddy mack in the 9th grade. I will always love you forever, and thank you for loving me, thank you for giving me strong little girls, and I promise I will "get them where they want to go". I will drive the ship from here, so you rest easy and cheer us on from Heaven.

I LOVE YOU...