Ethel Phillips Smith

Smith Yadkinville - Ethel Marie Phillips Smith, 88, passed away on March 18, 2015 at Yadkin Nursing Care Center. Ethel was born August 16, 1926 in Yadkin County to V.A. (Yank) and Ella Frances Davis Phillips. She was member of Deep Creek Friends Meeting. Ethel married the love of her life, Richard A. Smith on December 24, 1944. She was preceded in death by her husband on April 5, 1992, her parents, one sister, Edna P. Groce, four brothers, Tink, Johnny, Howard, and Paul Phillips and Don White, son-in-law. Ethel was known for her independence, determination, hard-work ethic, caring nature and busy hands. Ethel had a generous and giving spirit. Visitors did not leave her home without fresh vegetables, a baked good, or a canned good that she had prepared with her hands. She loved growing flowers and vegetables, (especially tomatoes) caring for dogs and horses, mowing her yard and cooking, particularly her fried apple pies, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs and green beans. She enjoyed giving tins of popcorn to family and friends. She was an inspiration to many with her upbeat perspective and unwavering faith. She was employed with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. for 37 years and retired from the Research and Development Department. She worked full time and was a caregiver to her husband for 28 years, as well as for many family members. She volunteered for Yadkin Christian Ministries for over ten years, served on the church hospitality committee for over 30 years and assisted Nora Shore with the kindergarten Sunday school class. She was honored to receive the E. Cox Armstrong Award from the Quaker Young Women for her service to the church and community. Mrs. Smith is survived by two daughters, Grace Smith Hoots, Mocksville, Cathy Smith Harper (Ken), Yadkinville; four grandchildren, Melissa (John) Hill, Jamie (Wendi) White, Mocksville, Julie (Tommy) Watson, Lexington, SC, and Chris Harper, Portland, Texas; six great grandchildren, Sydney and Abbey White, Joshua, Lane and Wesley Hill, and Harper Watson. She is also survived by a special sister-in-law Helen Spaugh, several nieces and nephews and canine friend Sandy. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Deep Creek Friends Meeting with a graveside service to follow in the Deep Creek Friends Cemetery in Yadkinville with Rev. Georgianne Hartline and Rev. Randy Quate officiating. She will lie in-state 30 minutes prior to the service. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2015 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. Ethel's family would like to give a thank you to the staff at Yadkin Nursing Care Center, especially Deana, Jo, Paula, Carmen, Wendi, Pam, Katie and Christy and to the Davie County Hospice for their compassion and loving care, and her church family. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to the Deep Creek Friends Meeting Cemetery Fund in care of Louis Shore, 2245 Shore Road, Yadkinville, 27055 or a charity of the donor's choosing. Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Smith family.