Paula Gail Pritchard

Paula Gail Smith Pritchard, age 82, passed away on October 6, 2025. She was born May 21, 1943, in Wilmington, NC, to the late Paul Smith and Mildred Barlow Smith. She grew up in Lenoir, NC. She graduated from Oak Hill High School and attended Appalachian State University for two years.

Paula is survived by her husband, Timothy C. Pritchard. They have two sons, Chadwick E. Pritchard and Joshua A. Pritchard, along with their wives, Tanya and Jenny, and one granddaughter, Amelia.

In addition to her parents, Paula was preceded in death by her brothers Randy and Baxter Smith of Lenoir, NC. Her surviving brother, Brent Smith, is also from Lenoir.

Paula and Tim have been married for 62 years. After their marriage in 1963, they lived in Aurora, IL, where she worked while he earned his bachelor's degree. They then moved to Chapel Hill, where she worked at WUNC-TV while Tim finished his master's degree.

Paula later worked as an administrative assistant at NC State University's Cooperative Extension program for 18 years.

Paula is an ordained minister and served for many years on the ministerial team at River of Life Church in Raleigh.

Paula loved flowers. She was an active gardener who cherished her time in the soil. Always smiling, loving her friends, worshipping her Savior, she was a giver. She knew no stranger and made people feel comfortable around her, regardless of their position in life. She exuded beauty and grace everywhere she went. She was a proper, classy lady and would not hesitate to correct any grammatical errors she heard.

We rejoice in her life well lived. She left a lasting legacy of love.

Funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, October 11, 2025, at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale. The family will receive friends and relatives prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:45 am, at the funeral home.

Graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Bethel Advent Christian Church Cemetery, 1595 Draco Road, Lenoir. The family will receive friends and relatives prior to the service, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, in the church.

Flowers are appreciated, or donations can be made to River of Life Church, 5508 Munford Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612.