Agnes Harrell Smith

Cary – Mrs. Agnes Harrell Smith, 76, of Glenaire Retirement Home, died Sunday.

A native of Asheville, NC, Mrs. Smith was born on September 8, 1928 to the late Thomas C. and Susan Dupay Harrell. She graduated from Greensboro High School and received a BA in Art Education with a minor in English from Greensboro College in 1949. She married Edward Demming Smith on October 1, 1949. Her marriage was a strong and lasting relationship of 55 wonderful years.

Mrs. Smith taught art in Wayne County and Goldsboro Public Schools. She was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and served in many capacities and ministered to others through this church. She was a member of Phi Delta Gamma, Wayne County Arts Council, Wayne County Y Board Member, Salvation Army Auxiliary, Girl Scout leader, Meals on Wheels volunteer and also volunteered with the Read to Succeed program with Wayne County Public Schools.

Her warm and genuine caring spirit touched anyone who met her. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. She exemplified Christ’s example by following Him in her own life and treated others with respect and love. Her beautiful spirit was seen in everything she created as she pursued her talent as an artist. She created beautiful watercolor paintings cherished by family, friends and art enthusiasts who appreciated nature as she depicted it. The love of her life was her family and she enjoyed visits and times together at her home or at Almost Heaven, a family retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Cary with Rev. Tom Loftis officiating. A private burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro, NC.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Demming Smith, Jr.; a son, Edward Demming Smith, III and wife, Eleanor S. Smith of Long Island, NY; daughters, Susan S. Durham and husband, Carl R. Durham of Amarillo, Texas; Amy S. McBennett and husband, Larry McBennett of Raleigh, NC and Rebecca S. Hill and husband, Harold Hill of Goldsboro;and grandchildren, Danielle, Stephanie and Benjamin Seidman of Long Island, NY, Jon and Nathan Durham of Amarillo, Texas, Brendon and Christopher McBennett of Raleigh, NC and Jennifer Marie Warren of Goldsboro.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Sue Burch.

She will be greatly missed by her three nephews, her 100 year old aunt, Mrs. Joseph Sheehan, extended family and life-long friends that meant so much to her.

The family suggest memorials be given to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 204 E. Chestnut Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530, the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511 or the Methodist Home for Children, 1041 Washington Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.

The family will receive friends from 1:15 until 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Cary.