ETHEL E. SMITH
Died Nov. 2, 2012
Ethel E. Smith passed away peacefully in her daughter Dianne Smith Morgan's home on Tercher Road in New London on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at age 89.
The family will be receiving friends at Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6 until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, with the burial at Willow Dale Cemetery.
Ethel was a strong-willed, independent wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her. Ethel enjoyed antiques and was the owner of Happy House Gift Shop and Country Museum in Goldsboro. Throughout her life, Ethel had a big heart for animals of all kinds, including her donkey "Little Bit," which she adored for 34 years. Ethel, and her husband, Alton, were well-known for their participation in the Wayne County Fair. Later in life, Ethel enjoyed riding motorcycles with her daughter, Dianne.
Ethel was born to the late Grover Edwards and Ada Edwards Strickland. She was the wife of the late Alton Glenn Smith Sr. of Rosewood for 63 years. Ethel was preceded in death by sisters, Ceil Edwards Longo and Linda Carol Strickland.
She is survived by her daughter, Dianne Smith Morgan, and her husband, Norman, of New London; Dianne's children, Wendy Garris Thompson and husband, Kelly, also of New London, and Cindy Garris Clayton and husband, Sam, of Richfield; grandchildren, Breanna Burleson, Madilynn Burleson, Grace Clayton and Jacob Clayton.
She is also survived by her son, Alton Glenn Smith Jr. and his wife, Christie, of Rosewood, and their children and grandchildren; and a sister, Civil Edwards Jernigan; and nieces and nephews.
Flowers are welcome, or memorials can be mailed to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, or online at www.hospiceofstanly.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 4, 2012 12:48 PM