Phillip Burton Smith, 86, of Davis, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with his loved ones by his side.

A funeral service to honor Phillip’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 29th at First Baptist Church of Davis, officiated by Rev. Chuck Houston and Ted Smith. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Following the service, the family invites you to join them for a time of food and fellowship. Phillip will be laid to rest privately at Oscar Davis Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Phillip was born on September 18, 1939, at the family home in Davis, North Carolina, to the late Theodore Burton “T.B.” Smith and Evelyn Davis Smith. He grew up alongside his two siblings in the close-knit community of Davis Shore, where he developed a deep appreciation for family, faith, and the coastal way of life that would remain with him always.

Phillip learned the value of hard work at an early age. In the late 1940’s, his father founded T.B. Smith Seafood in Davis, where he worked diligently and developed a lifelong passion and appreciation for the local seafood industry. Over the years, he built and operated several successful businesses, including Smith Containers, a seafood container company, Phillip B. Smith Transport, and Phillip B. Smith Seafood. For more than 50 years, Phillip’s strong work ethic, determination, and willingness to go the extra mile earned him the respect of all who knew him.

Phillip was a proud American and lifelong Democrat who loved his country deeply. He was a devoted Christian man, who was raised in First Baptist Church of Davis. He shared 62 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Wanda, building a life grounded in love, devotion, and a truly special bond that carried them through every season of life. Together they built a family with their 3 angels, Dana, Anna and Kara.

In retirement, Phillip’s priorities were the “two G’s” — his grandkids and his grass. He maintained multiple properties spending many hours on his prized John Deere tractor. His home, Smithwyn, was truly his happy place, where some of his greatest joys were found in time spent with family and caring for the place he loved so dearly. Nothing made Phillip happier than enjoying a good meal. Fresh local seafood, farm fresh produce, and a box of Krispy Kreme donuts were sure to bring a smile.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his daughters, Dana Nelson (John), Anna Smith, and Kara Smith (Tommy Fulcher), all of Davis, NC; sister, Raelene “Plum” Rosselli (Chic) of Raleigh, NC; sister-in-law, Rebecca “Becky” Smith of Morehead City, NC; grandchildren, Lauren Salter, John Phillip Nelson, and Morgan Nelson Taylor; 8 precious great-grandchildren; nephews, Ted Smith of Beaufort, NC; special extended family who were his caretakers, Lois Letchworth, Tammy Davis, Brenda Willis, Kelsey Richards, Holly Lawrence, and Karen Nelson; and his faithful sidekick, his dog, “Little Man”.

In addition to his parents, Phillip was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda Brown Smith who passed away in 2024; sister, Josephine Smith; brother, Gerry T. Smith Sr.; and nephew, Todd D. Smith.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 662 W Corbett Ave., Swansboro, NC 28584.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.