Rachel Ellen Smith

Rachel Ellen Freeman Smith, 84 of Asheboro, left her earthly home on November 28, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. Rachel was born on January 2nd, 1940, to Ora Richardson and Neill Bailey Freeman, rounding out their baker’s dozen. Rachel grew up at the family Homeplace in Seagrove helping on the family farm with her twelve siblings. She was a 1958 graduate of Seagrove High School where she played basketball. She continued living at home until married on April 25, 1971. She worked many years at Acme McCrary and Allmon Seaming. Her favorite job of all was being a mom and Nana. She could be seen helping at school events for her three children and later cheering on her grandchildren in their activities. She was an active member of Center Cross Baptist Church where she kept the nursery for over 35 years. 

Rachel was a loving daughter, aunt, wife, mother, nana and friend. She was proud of coming from a large, loving family that stressed education and loved the Lord. Rachel was an avid cook who kept her family well-fed. She was known for her pound cake and persimmon pudding. Everyone was welcomed at her table. She was talented at anything crafty from sewing, crocheting, painting, cake decorating, and anything else she tried. She was a wonderful jokester, full of sarcasm and wit. Rachel was tough, a fighter, full of the Freeman/Richardson determination. She battled and beat cancer in 2008 and once again battled cancer for two years until the Lord called her home on Thanksgiving Day. 

The receiving line for Rachel in heaven includes her parents, her beloved daughter Deanna Ellen Smith, her 12 siblings - Annie (Bob) Wilson, Mamie (Boyd) Hare, Lee Freeman, Stacy (James) Cornelison, Nellie (Harold) Bean, Walter (Kitty) Freeman, Conie (Lonnie) King, Joe (Faye) Freeman, Dempsey (Edna) Freeman, Gladys (Doyle) McLeod, Mildred(Clark) Crisco, and Wesley (Nellie) Freeman. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Leslie “Buster” Smith, children Leslie Smith-Moore (Lane) and Revis Smith, grandchildren Carter Ray, Ellen Lane, Ian Curtiss, and Julia Grace Moore. She was the second mom to Lonnie, Tommy and Frances who she claimed as her first kids. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 1:00-2:50 pm at Center Cross Baptist Church followed by the funeral service at 3 pm conducted by Rev. Garry Arnett and Rev. Howard Germany.  Interment in the church cemetery will follow the service. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Center Cross Baptist Church at 1789 Center Cross Church Rd Asheboro, NC 27205 or Hospice of Randolph. 

The Smith family is being served by Pugh Funeral Home