Frank McGougan Nesmith: Sunset Beach

1926 – 2020

     Frank McGougan Nesmith of Sunset Beach passed away on Thursday, July 16. He was 93.

     Born Oct. 19, 1926, he was a son of the late Benjamin L. Nesmith Jr. and Martha Reaves McGougan Nesmith of Tabor City.

     In additional to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Ben Lemuel Nesmith III.

     He is survived by a son, Frank M. Nesmith Jr. of North Carolina; and two daughters, Lynn Nesmith of Seagrove Beach, Florida and Robin Nesmith Murray of Sunset Beach.

     Called by many “the mayor of Bird Island,” Nesmith relocated a community mailbox on the island in 1983 that has attracted tens of thousands to write in journals there. An “Our State” story said the mailbox “protects a handful of journals, a few pens, and the thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams, and grief of those who visit her.”

     The Kindred Spirit Mailbox became internationally famous after author Nicholas Sparks featured it, and Sunset Beach, in the novel Every Breath in 2018.

     There was no information on services from Nesmith available this week. A brief obituary and guest register is available here.