MURFREESBORO, N.C.—Lt. Col. (Ret) Lonnie Sasser Smith, 72, died April 22, 2008, at Sun Bridge nursing home in Mount Olive, N.C.

Mr. Smith is the son of the late Mary Sasser Early.

Lt. Col. Smith is retired from the US Army having served in Korea and Vietnam, where he received many commendations and medals.

In addition to his mother he is preceded in death by his grandparents, the Rev. and Mrs. Lonnie Sasser of Murfreesboro and a special aunt, Addie Sasser Brogden of Grantham.

He was a graduate of Murfreesboro High School, Wake Forest University, and Old Dominion University with a masters in Math.

After retirement, he taught math, coached tennis and cross country at Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro.

Survivors include cousins, Ray and Garnell Brogden, Dannie and Kaye Harrell, and Tim Harrell all of Grantham, N.C.

A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Murfreesboro with the Rev. Frank Purvis officiating.

The Smith family is being served by Shumate-Faulk funeral home and crematory, and online condolences may be sent through Shumate-Faulk.com