February 24, 1945 – April 4, 2024
KITTY HAWK — Michael Kent Smith, 79, of Kitty Hawk, NC, passed away unexpectedly with his entire family by his side on April 4, 2024. Michael was born in Norfolk, VA, on February 24, 1945, to Clifford and Lillian Smith and had a sister, Sandra, and a brother, Tony. His parents instilled in Michael early fundamental values that became the bedrock of his character, and he lived and honored those values throughout his life, including his deep love for his family and his profound work ethic. He attended Oscar Smith High School, where he met his future wife and love of his life, Brenda Joyce Mann, and made life-long friends.
Michael later enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1963 and was stationed in New Hampshire earning the rank of Airman First Class. Michael’s values and character continued to develop and strengthen during this time. There, he learned the importance of honor, courage, diligence, integrity, loyalty, and patience. Serving our country was important to him and it also afforded him the opportunity to continue his education. After four years of honorable service, he was honorably discharged.
Michael then began his postsecondary education by attending South New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, where he graduated with a finance and accounting degree. With this well-rounded foundation, Michael started his exemplary professional career. Professionally, he achieved great success working for large corporations in financial executive leadership roles, working for Sanders & Associates, Bendix, Allied Signal, Danaher Corporation, and Hyster Yale Forklifts. He reached the pinnacle of his career as Chief Financial Officer. This career and his dedication to it required that he and his family moved often – six different states in all. They collectively and individually made many sacrifices with each move but also gained many meaningful experiences and friendships along the way.
While building his career, he reunited with his high school sweetheart, Brenda Mann, and simultaneously started a family. With Brenda came five children ranging in age from six to thirteen. His love for Brenda was so great that he embraced a father-figure role to earn what became an immediate family. This is where Michael shined. His passion for the children led to strong connections with each of them and earned him status as their beloved dad. Family and friends often reminisce and chuckle that he went from bachelor to family man, trading in his Corvette for a station wagon and his condo for a house mortgage within a moment. Michael and Brenda raised five kids through many challenges with unconditional love, guidance, and support. Michael was a provider, but more importantly, he gave himself to his family. He was a good listener but also a great teacher.
If you ever spent time with him, he was bound to walk you through a life-lesson, step by step, whether it was the appropriate way to prepare and eat crabs or manage life. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren fiercely and accepted and welcomed each of their friends, loved ones, and significant others the same. The values and lessons he prioritized in his guidance to his family included selflessness, honor, integrity, fairness, patience, strong work ethics, and modesty. Michael’s smile and laugh were genuine and contagious, and he found joy in his family and life’s simple pleasures, such as gardening, fishing, being at the beach, and maintaining his homes.
Michael is survived by his wife, Brenda, of forty-four years. Together, they created a beautiful family that will always work hard to honor his life, love, and spirit through their love and support of each other and the legacies they will perpetuate. This includes, by families, daughter Debbie Norris-Hamblen, son-in-law Scott Hamblen of Kitty Hawk, NC, granddaughter Heather Ulrich, grandson-in-law Joshua Ulrich, and grandchildren Destanee, Westin, Corbin, Jasmine, and Beckett of Wendell, MN, and grandson Austin Munno of Wilmington, NC, great-grandson Anderson, and granddaughter Jordan Serrano, grandson-in-law Luis Serrano, and great-grandchildren Mason, Mia, and Cameron; daughter Kim Miriani, son-in-law Dave Miriani of Shelby Township, MI, grandson Tyler Gunthner, granddaughter-in-law Emily, and great-grandchildren Anderson, Eden, Leah of Washington, MI, granddaughter Madison Mosher, great-grandson Isaac, and Zach Walker of Shelby Township, MI, granddaughter Maria Mariani, great-grandchildren Benicio, Oliver, Harrison, Liliana, and Ryan Henry of Macomb, MI, and granddaughter Liz Miriani and John Ross; daughter Tammy Norris of Norfolk, VA, and granddaughters Lyndsey and Sydney Morris of Virginia Beach, VA; son Chris Norris and daughter-in-law Dianna Norris of Royal Oak, MI; son Tyrone Norris and daughter-in-law Julie Metz of Belleville, PA, and granddaughters Ruth Thompson of Belleville, PA, and Isabelle Norris of Elkhart, IN; sister Sandra Mann of Kitty Hawk, NC; and numerous other family and friends, including his grand-dogs, Tucker, Nyla, Bower, Knox, Beaux, Pluto, and Maggie. He is preceded in death by his brother, Tony Smith, and his parents, Lillian Harrell and Clifton Smith, and stepmother Nell Smith.
Michael/Dad/KPa had an enormous influence on his family and anyone who met him. Above all, he deeply cared about being there for his family. His life was an example of how to love, appreciate, and enjoy the simple gifts of life. Anyone who loved him would do anything to hear one more lecture or lesson, but we vow to carry on the lessons he imparted with grace, care, and thoughtfulness. Michael passed away in peace and with poise.
A celebration of Michael’s life is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Haven on the Banks in the Keeper’s Galley in Nags Head, NC, beginning at 1:00 p.m. (115 East Dove Street, Nags Head, NC 27959). In honor of his memory and his love for the Outer Banks, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to either the National Park Service, Outer Banks Group (www.nps.gov/caha/getinvolved/donations.htm), or the American Stroke Association (www.stroke.org) in honor of Michael K. Smith, in lieu of flowers.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
