Flay Vernon Smith

Mr. Flay Vernon Smith, 93, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate in Charlotte.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12:30 pm Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Marvin Goodnight will officiate. A private graveside for the family will be held at a later time.

The family will receive friends from 11 to 12:15 pm Tuesday at Lady's Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith was born October 8, 1929 in Greenville, SC. He was a son of the late Robert Smith and Ruth Causby Smith. Flay served in the US Navy from November 6, 1946 to October 9, 1952. His specialty was Aviation Ordenanceman First Class. He served in the US Naval Air Station in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the first two years. The remainder of his service was aboard the U.S.S. Leyte and the U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carriers. He received an honorable discharge and was recommended for reenlistment. His love was the U.S.S. Leyte, his world travels, and his moving business. Flay attended Belmont Abbey College and majored in Business Administration. After college, he went to work for John Hancock Insurance, which was his first job. Flay went to work with Mayflower Moving for one year. He then went to work with Carolina Allied Moving & Storage Van Lines for 34 years, and became Vice President in 1972 and then Owner in 1982. He was also President & Owner of ABC Traffic Services Inc. as well as DunMar Movers Charlotte Inc. During this same time in the early 1980s, he became Co-Owner of the popular Press Box, the largest running sports bar in Charlotte, which was a popular destination for the locals. Flay served as a member of the Good Fellows Club. Flay's passions were college basketball and football. He loved going to the ACC Basketball tournaments, and was one of the first club PSL Owners for the Carolina Panthers and he loved NASCAR.

He was a special man who will be remembered for his infectious laughter, his kindness and generosity, and his special love for his family. Everyone who knew him loved him. He was a treasure to us all and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Cynthia Denise Griffin Smith; son, Jason Smith; sister, Doris Smith, all of Charlotte; three sisters-in-law, Felicia Ann Hayes and husband Michael Wayne, Pamela Yvonne Mann and husband Steven Alan, Amanda Michelle Taylor and husband James Francis; nieces and nephew, Heather Mann Enloe and husband Matthew Scott, Brittany Michelle Taylor, and Dillon Alan Mann; and three great nephews, Aiden Alexander James Root, Chase Parker Enloe, and Greyson Wade Enloe, all of whom he adored.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Hospice of Charlotte.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247 https://www.hpccr.org/donate.