Elmer Dale Smith

Elmer Dale Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 7, 2023, at his home in Beulah, Alabama. He was born on June 15, 1941, in Tallassee, Alabama, to Elmer D. Smith and Olive "Ollie" Whitaker Smith.

He graduated from Eclectic High School in 1959. On December 22, 1962, he married Ann Taylor, the love of his life. They shared three daughters: Janice Renea, Kimley Dale, and Tammy Diane.

Throughout his life, Dale held various jobs, including driving the school bus while he was still in high school and the Alabama Highway Department. At the age of 17, he joined the National Guard and served for eight years. However, it was when he became an Alabama State Trooper in 1966 that he found his true calling. Dale dedicated himself to this career and worked his way up the ranks, ultimately retiring as a Sergeant and the Post Commander in Opelika, Alabama, in 1995. He took great pride in his work as a State Trooper and cherished the friendships and relationships that came from that time.

Dale had a wide range of hobbies and interests, including fishing, racing, cars, music, electronics/technology (stereos, computers, CB radios, TVs, etc), history, woodworking, and gardening. He was a licensed gunsmith and an excellent cook. Dale and Ann enjoyed entertaining their family and friends, always ensuring that no one went home hungry.

Throughout his life, Dale was known by many names, including Elmer Dale, Dale, E.D., Smitty, Sergeant, Sneaky Snake (CB handle), and Daddy. However, for the past 30 years, his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren simply called him Pop. While he had various jobs and hobbies over the years, he will be most remembered for being their Pop.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Ollie Smith, brother Tony Smith, and infant daughter Janice Renea Smith. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Smith (Beulah, AL), his daughters Kimley (Chuck) Wilkins (Beulah, AL) and Tammy (David) Whorton (Columbus, GA), grandchildren Dr. Andrew (Tayler) Wilkins (Auburn, AL), Peyton (Jacob) Taylor (Midland, TX), and Baylen Whorton (Athens, GA), great-granddaughters River James Wilkins and MaryTodd Wilkins (Auburn, AL), sister Lorraine (Roger) Hepburn (Dadeville, AL), sister-in-law Clara Sanders (Dadeville, AL), and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and extended family on Saturday, July 22, 2023, beginning at 11 am, followed by a memorial service at 12 pm at Linville Memorial Funeral Home in Eclectic, AL. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Flowers or a memorial contributions to St. Jude are welcome.

Online condolences may be posted at www.linvillememorial.com.

Linville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory

Eclectic, Alabama