Chelsea Lee Golden

Chelsea Lee Golden, 79, of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, died on Friday, October 10, 2025. Born December 1, 1945, in War, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Orving Vernon Smith and Louise Ramey Smith.

Chelsea grew up in McDowell County, West Virginia, and attended Big Creek High School in War until 1961 when her family moved to Orlando, Florida. She graduated from Maynard Evans High School in 1963. Deeply influenced by her heritage, she spoke affectionately of the people and places that shaped her early childhood. Chelsea believed and trusted in the saving grace of her Lord Jesus Christ. Although mourning their great loss, those who loved her take comfort in knowing that her faith has become sight.

Possessing many talents, Chelsea often threw herself completely into projects. She enjoyed making holiday wreaths and flower arrangements for friends and family as well as creating beautifully elaborate bows and decorations for Christmas presents. Also skilled at sewing, she sometimes helped her mother make quilts and other crafts to be exhibited in the annual Craft Festival at Lake Eola in Orlando. Family members frequently relied on her advice for interior decorating and fashion. Chelsea blessed her family and close friends with her amazing cooking and baking skills, sometimes working for days to cater a wedding or party. Some were fortunate enough to have sampled one of her lavish cakes, pies, dessert rolls, or perfectly made cornbread. Chelsea was a life-long avid reader, constantly adding to her home library. She especially enjoyed history, biographies, Christian apologetics, and poetry, but relished good conversation even more.

Retiring in 2024, Chelsea worked for seventeen years for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol inventorying and issuing uniforms to State Troopers. She was zealous in her support of Troopers and will be missed by many for her friendship and motherly counsel.

Chelsea was preceded in death by her beloved son, Daniel Golden; sisters Nova Powers and Hedy Kuemmel; and Nephews Trey and Michael Pridgen. She is survived by her daughter Teresa Gong (Steve) of Angier and son Eugene Golden (Jean) of Fuquay-Varina; her sisters Shelly Hayes (Jimmy) of Eustis, Florida, and Serena Puricelli of Orlando, Florida; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many friends.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Underwood Funeral Home in Smithfield, North Carolina, beginning at 1:00 PM. Graveside funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM at Riverside Cemetery officiated by Reverend Warren Harvey.

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