Dr. Jerry Edward Smith, 91, of Pinehurst, NC, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, in the comfort of his home, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Jerry was born February 14, 1935, in Kernersville, NC, to the late Martha Mae Elliott and Joseph Glenn Smith. He was a 1961 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine. Following medical school, he proudly served four years in the United States Air Force before eventually joining the OBGYN practice at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic in 1970. From 1988-1990 he was the President of Pinehurst Surgical Clinic. After many years of delivering babies, he retired June 25, 1993.
He was an avid golfer and poker player, winning numerous golf championships, including the 1972 National Elks Amateur and 1990 Mid-South Amateur.
He enjoyed a good round of golf, a good poker hand, and most importantly, good company.
Jerry married the love of his life, Jane Elizabeth Palmer, on June 9, 1957, in Reidsville, NC. Together, they built a life filled with family, friends, laughter, golf, poker, and more memories than could ever fit into one obituary.
He is survived by his wife, Jane “Skip”; his beloved Puerto Rican street dog, Rose, who stayed faithfully by his side until the very end; his daughters, Melissa Boles and Martha (Everett) Mappin; grandchildren, Erin Nance, Emily (Gabe) Nickle, Palmer (Nicole) Boles, Glenn (Carrie) Boles, and Matthew (Emily) Mappin, and great-grandchildren, Jackson Key, Kinsie Key, Ella Jane Boles, Waylon Nickle, Arlo Nickle, Riley Mappin, Everett R. Mappin, and future baby Boles.
He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Ernestine “Teenie” Minish, Josephine Bell, and Henry Smith.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his longtime friend, Dr. John Ellis, his CCNC family, his physician and friend, Dr. Kathleen Letizia, his poker buddies, breakfast buddies, his adopted family, the Carneys, and FirstHealth Hospice.
A visitation will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Tee–Sandhills, 135 W. Vermont Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387; Moore Humane Society, PO Box 203, Southern Pines, NC 28387; or Dr. Ellis’ poker fund, you know where to find him.
Jerry lived a long and full life. In his honor, play a round of golf, tell a dirty joke, shuck an oyster, crack a beer, and maybe bluff your way through a hand of poker.
Here’s to Jerry, a life well lived and well loved.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Service arrangements are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.
