Good-Bye Smitty

By: Wa

y Wersching

n May 20th, CBA/

ABATE Western District Coordinator Tim” Smitty” Smith was in the hospital, in a medically induced coma due to a heart attack. Over the next month, his wife of 19 years, Cindi, aka “Chicken Wing”, kept us informed of his condition by posting on the Cleveland County CBA/ ABATE Facebook page. There were some encouraging signs but Smitty couldn’t get well enough to have surgery. On June 20th, at around 9am, Smitty passed away peacefully.

I’ve known Smitty for quite a few years, and he always had a smile with a good word when we met at a CCIB or CBA function. He was very involved in the CBA and went to the state capital every year to help get some laws changed or enacted. He was a strong believer in biker’s rights.

“Smitty” was also a member of the Cleveland County Independent Bikers (CCIB). After he passed, the club wanted to show their appreciation and love for him by having a Celebra-

tion of His Life at the CCIB Land in Mooresboro, NC on Saturday, June 27th from 6- 7:pm. I arrived at a little before 6pm to see many of “Smitty’s” old friends standing around talking about him. His old Harley had his CCIB colors draped over the windshield, and his blue high-top sneakers were on the bike’s floorboards. “Smitty’s” ashes were in the urn on the table along with a few pictures of him, and awards he was responsible for acquiring for the Cleveland County CBA/ABATE Chapter over the years. The service began with Mike Gettys, pastor of the nearby Full Throttle Biker Church, on stage, then some of “Smitty’s” old friends along with his brother went onstage and talked about “Smitty”.

Some of the stories were funny trying to remember “Smitty’s” free spirit. Everything that they said was positive.

The service ended with a prayer with comments on how “Smitty” was now riding on “streets of gold” in heaven. He will be missed by all who knew him, and countless others he would have helped with his CBA/ABATE work on Biker’s Rights.

Good-Bye Smitty!

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