Owen Franklin Smith

Owen Franklin Smith, Sr., 94, died at the Hospice Home of Wake County on September 5, 2012. He was born November 26, 1917, in Benson, North Carolina, the third of five children of Myrtle and Robert F. Smith. Owen was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Smith, as well as two brothers and one sister. He is survived by his sons, Sidney D. Smith, and his wife, Shirley, of Asheboro; O. Franklin Smith, Jr., and his wife, Marian, of Raleigh; sister, Sue Applewhite, of Jacksonville: grandchildren, Caroline Culpepper and husband, Paul, of Hickory; Catherine Friedline and husband, David, of Fairfield, CT; Courtney Smith of Wilkesboro; David Smith of Charlotte; and Gordon Smith of Carrboro; great-grandchildren, Rhett and Spears Culpepper, and George and Gaston Friedline. A member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church since 1943, he actively served the church as teacher, advisor and architect on three building projects. He was a faithful member of Civitan International and served as its president. He also served as a director of the Tammy Lynn Center and numerous civic and professional organizations over his lifetime in Raleigh. Owen graduated from North Carolina State in architectural engineering and practiced architecture in Raleigh for over 65 years. He is believed to be the oldest registered architect in the state. His early design mentors were William Dietrick and Thomas Cooper, established Raleigh architects. During World War II, he supervised the construction of military facilities until his entry in the U. S. Navy. Owen began his private practice in 1946 and maintained his office until 2011. His work included office buildings, modernist homes, churches and over 200 school projects. He won design awards for the Farm Bureau buildings, Lynn Road School, Bertie County High School and the sanctuary of Hayes Barton Baptist Church. His versatility was such that he could work with contemporary or traditional designs. He strived to balance good design, field practicality and the clients goals. He was fortunate to have a profession that was his passion throughout his life. To Betsy Hutchison and her family, a warm thank you for a decade of special friendship. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 7, 2012, at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service. Memorials may be made to Hayes Barton Baptist Church or The Tammy Lynn Center.