James Franklin Smith

James Franklin Smith Sr., 78, of Garden City Beach, SC, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Grand Strand Medical Center of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. James was born on October 20, 1947, in Whiteville, North Carolina, to the late James Claudius (J.C.) Smith and Susan Jenkins Smith of Whiteville, NC.  James is also preceded in death by his brother, Malcolm Lewis Smith, of Raleigh, NC, and his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Rebecca (Becky) Spence Smith, of Garden City Beach, SC.  

Left to cherish James’ memory are his children, son James (Jay) Franklin Smith Jr. and wife, Sherri Parker Smith of Murrells Inlet, SC, and daughter Shannon Smith Darby and husband, Drury James Darby, Sr., of Spartanburg, SC; James’ favorite people, his grandchildren, Kelli Nicole Smith of Murrells Inlet, SC, Katie Elizabeth Smith (Jacob Stewart, fiancé) of Murrells Inlet, SC, Blair Elizabeth Darby of Spartanburg, SC, and Drury (Dru) James Darby, Jr, of Spartanburg, SC.  James also leaves his lifelong best friend, Charlie Ripple of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and his caregiver and friend, Stephanie Maddox, of Myrtle Beach, SC. James was fondly known as Granddaddy by his grandkids, friends, family members, and his grandchildren’s friends. James cared deeply for Anna and Welles Goude, of Georgetown, SC, Nicole Darby Hastings of Spartanburg, SC, and Abby Elizabeth Darby of Pauline, SC. James has a large, loving extended family and many supportive friends and neighbors in Myrtle Beach, SC, Whiteville, NC, and Spartanburg, SC. 

James grew up in Whiteville, NC, and graduated from Whiteville High School, where he stayed busy playing football, baseball, and basketball, throughout his high school years. He was a Co-Captain of the 1965 North Carolina Division II-A State Championship Football Team, and was a player on the 1965 North Carolina Shrine Bowl Football team.

James attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with his wife of 54 years, Becky Spence Smith. He was a proud member of the Tar Heel football team and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education.

Following his graduation from UNC, James worked at Possum Trot Golf Course at Myrtle Beach, SC. James then taught Physical Education at Whiteville Primary School, Edgewood Elementary School, and Central Middle School, and he coached football, baseball, and golf, at Whiteville High School. After moving to Spartanburg, James became a member of the PGA of America and worked as an Assistant Golf Professional at Spartanburg Country Club, in Spartanburg, SC. There, he worked in the Pro Shop, taught golf lessons, and refurbished golf clubs. He finally moved to the beach and first worked as a Shipping Manager at Anvil Knitwear, in Aynor, SC and later became the Head Golf Professional at Winyah Bay Golf Course, in Georgetown, SC, and subsequently worked at Traditions Golf Course, at Litchfield Beach, SC, and at Island Green Golf Course, in Myrtle Beach, SC.

After he retired, James coached the Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ golf teams at Socastee High School. This was a special time for the Smith family. He coached against his granddaughters, Kelli and Katie Smith, who played for St. James High School and Socastee’s home course was Prestwick Country Club, in Myrtle Beach, SC, where James’ son Jay is the General Manager.

While living in Whiteville, NC, James attended Grace Episcopal Church where he served on the church Vestry. After moving to Spartanburg, SC, his family attended Westminster Presbyterian Church. Later, James attended church services with his family at Surfside United Methodist Church, in Surfside Beach, SC.

In his free time, James loved going to the beach, playing golf, giving golf lessons, and driving his grandkids around on the golf cart. James’ granddaughters and his son Jay, all spent time with “Granddaddy” practicing and playing golf together. James enjoyed visiting Lake Waccamaw in NC, where he taught his children and grandchildren to water ski. James’ favorite pastime was attending his grandkids’ sporting events: watching Blair play softball, Dru play football, and Kelli and Katie play golf.

James relished in watching his beloved UNC Tarheels play basketball, football, and all other sports. He was seen daily wearing a University of North Carolina hat, T-shirt, and driving around with UNC stickers on his car. James loved butter pecan ice cream, lemon filled donuts, boiled peanuts, Sun Drop, and cheeseburgers. He loved grilling out with family and friends, especially on the Fourth of July. His favorite holiday was Christmas, and he enjoyed decorating, buying gifts, and attending Christmas gatherings and services.      

James was a perfectionist and had a tough exterior, but a warm heart. He was fun, competitive, hard-working, easy to talk to, tough, stubborn, and had a dry sense of humor. James truly enjoyed his people, and his favorite person was his wife, Becky. More than anything, he loved his family with his whole heart and would do anything for them. James was a wonderful father, and his pride and joy were his four grandchildren, whom he was so proud of and loved so much!

James will forever be missed and fondly remembered for his love of family, the Tarheels, and his bright and mischievous smile.

A Celebration of James’ Life will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM, at Burroughs Funeral Home, 3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576. The family will gather to greet friends from 2:00 PM until the time of service. Following the service, everyone is invited to join the family at Indigo Creek Golf Club at 9480 Indigo Club Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576.

At the request of the family, please consider memorial contributions in lieu of flowers. The family has asked that donations be made to Project Golf at http://projectgolf.org

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guest book, kindly visit the funeral home website at, www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, (843-651-1440) is assisting the family.