Gracie Eve Duncan Smith of Whiteville, NC, went to be with her beloved Savior on June 17, 2022 at the age of 91. She was born on December 25, 1930 in Old Dock, NC as the second of three children to Seth Adam Duncan and Eppie Dell Etheridge Duncan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth (Bill) Elwood Smith, Sr., her two brothers Jesse Edward Duncan and Jack Adam Duncan, and on February 1, 2022 by her beloved sister-in-law, Julia Ann Smith of Clarkton, NC.
Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Clarkton) with the Rev. Coy Long officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30-2:45 prior to the service at the Church. Interment will immediately follow at Williamsons Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery (Chadbourn) where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.
She is survived by her eight children, Kenneth E. Smith II and wife Linda of Creston, NC, Rebecca S. Bright of Whitsett, NC, Phillip Alan Smith and wife Yvonne of Whiteville, NC, Christopher Matthew Smith and wife Billie of Whiteville, NC, Seth Dean Smith and wife Polly of Gatesville, Texas, Joanna S. Floyd of Chadbourn, NC, Melinda S. Ward and husband Robert of
Whiteville, NC, and Lisa S. Brown and husband Shawn of Chadbourn, NC. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, over 23 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves to cherish her memory, Josh, her constant furry companion.
Gracie spent a good part of her life as a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. In the early 1970s she went back to school to obtain her GED, one of the proudest moments of her life. She then went to work with the Columbus County School System and retired with over 26 years as the manager of the former Hallsboro School cafeterias where she put her “special touch” on the meals that were served to “her kids”. Gracie loved to sew, knit, and crochet and there are no grandchildren or great-grandchildren, and few friends that don’t have one of her now even more treasured afghans, baby blankets, scarfs, toboggans, pot holders, or dish cloths. She would crochet until her hands hurt and then she would pick up her Bible and read and read and read. She could whip up a meal from nothing in just a few minutes for whoever happened to walk in her door. She was well known for her BBQ ribs, homemade biscuits, strawberry fig jam, turkey dressing and banana bread. She loved singing in the choir at her beloved Mt. Zion Church in Clarkton, where she was the oldest member. God has a new angel and a new member of his heavenly choir where she will certainly sing alto forever. Her family knows that she is now safe and overjoyed to be with her Heavenly Father and all those family members who went on before her. She said more than once that she was grateful for every day that He gave her and she would try to do something good for someone each one of those days. Be happy, joyful, and thankful if you knew her and sad if you missed that wonderful opportunity.
Flowers are welcome, but donations may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church (9512 Red Hill Rd, Clarkton, NC 28433) or Williamsons Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery Fund (4071 Princess Ann Rd Chadbourn, NC 28431).
