Susie Smith Obituary

Susie Thomas Smith DURHAM, NC - Susie Thomas Smith beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt died Saturday, September 7, 2013 at the home of her daughter in Wendell, NC. Born to Alma Bishop Thomas and Joseph C. Thomas and raised in Smoaks, SC, she moved to Durham, NC in 1943 and worked in various retail positions, retiring from Central Carolina Bank in 1989. She was a caring mother who loved and enjoyed spending time with her family. Susie had a strong faith in God and Jesus Christ and a strong belief in her church's mission to serve others. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church for more than 70 years and held many positions there throughout her life. She was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class; Senior Adult of the Year in 1997; and Church Treasurer for 20 years. She also served on the Kitchen Committee for over 40 years, planning, preparing and serving food for meals, receptions, and other events. She enjoyed the fellowship of her church friends and gave encouragement to many through those relationships. She was also loved and admired by many friends whom she met through business, community, and local activities. Susie will be missed but her legacy will live on through the lives she touched daily. She is survived by daughters, Dorothy Smith, Alexandria, VA, Beth Rickman, Durham, NC, and Peggy Sullivan, Wendell, NC; granddaughters Tai Mercer (Mark), Rae Robinson (Chad), and Alex Thompson (Michael); great-grandchildren Erin and Emory Mercer and Maddox Thompson. She is also survived by sisters Eva T. Beach, Walterboro, SC, and Helen T. Cooper; brothers Rev. Herbert Thomas, Ray Thomas, Jake Thomas, all of Smoaks, SC, and Frankie Thomas, Ridgeville, SC; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Rodney Thomas, Smoaks, SC, William Thomas, Sylvester, GA, and sister Bettie T. Mitchum, Charleston, SC. The family will receive friends on Monday, September 9, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham, NC. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, at First Baptist Church in Durham. Those wishing to honor her memory may contribute to the Green Pond Methodist Church Cemetery Fund (Ray Thomas, 3568 Sunrise Road, Smoaks, SC 29481) or to the Smith Ladies Trust Fund, First Baptist Church, 414 Cleveland St., Durham, NC 27701. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston