Janice Smith Smith

1931 - 2021

Janice Smith Smith

October 30, 1931 - April 26, 2021

Janice Smith Smith, 89, died Monday, April 26, 2021, with her family by her side.

Born in Gilbert, W.Va., Oct. 30, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Grover Russell Smith and Mary Hollar Smith. Janice was married to the late Wayne Harrington Smith for 60 years. They shared a happy and busy life raising four children. Together, they were Junior and Senior High youth advisors at First Presbyterian Church and were active parents with the Morganton Swim Club. Janice also served as a leader of Cubs and Girl Scout Troops, while her children were active in scouting.

Janice was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was active with the Presbyterian Women. In 1996, she was honored with the Presbyterian Women's Life Membership. She also served on the Presbyterian Learning Center Board and was a past co-chair of the Love-in-Action Committee. When she became home bound, she enjoyed staying in touch with her circle members by helping with their prayer chain.

Janice graduated from Morganton High School in 1950 and Pfeiffer Junior College in 1953. She worked for a brief time at Drexel Furniture Company, where she met her husband, Wayne. Janice had a love for children and taught kindergarten at First United Methodist Church, the Catholic Church and at a private kindergarten in her home. When her children were grown, Janice worked part-time in the Continuing Education Department of Western Piedmont Community College as an adult basic education and English as a second language instructor. In 1985, she was awarded a certificate from the N.C. Department of Community Colleges for making an outstanding contribution to adult literacy. Janice was very proud of these students and took pride in sharing their accomplishments with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Smith; sister, Willie Rose Allen; four brothers, Carl, Harold, Winston and Jack Smith.

She is survived by her children, Cindy Monroe (Phil), Mitzi Price (Andy), Wayne Smith Jr. (Tonja) and Dawn Cook (Steve); eight grandchildren, Leon Monroe (Lisa), Chase Price (Joanne), Megan Price Ernst (Teage), Eli and Emily Smith, Keri Price, Cooper and Reid Cook; three great grandchildren; niece, Linda Wall; sister-in-law, Betty Smith; and brother-in-law, Boyd Smith; and many special nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Janice will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 16, at First Presbyterian Church and the family will greet friends following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 Silver Creek Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or Burke United Christian Ministries, 305-B West Union St., Morganton, NC 28655.

The family would like to thank Burke Primary Care for the many years of loving care.

At the request of the family, please wear a face coving and practice social distancing.

Sossoman Funeral Home

www.sossomanfh.com