Rodney Russell Smith

Rodney Russell Smith, 82, of Browns Summit, passed away at his home on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, March 18, at Hope River Church in Gibsonville, NC, with Pastor Billy Roy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Additionally, the family will be receiving visitors on Sunday, March 16, from 1:00 to 7:00 PM at Rodney and Janice's home.

Rodney was born on November 9, 1942, in Guilford County to the late Howard Taylor Smith and Mary Scott Smith. He and his late wife, Janice, were married for 64 years and raised three boys, who, together, produced nine grandchildren. Rodney was a longtime member of Browns Wesleyan Church and an attendee at Covington Wesleyan in Reidsville. At both churches, he served as a mentor to many, offering budgeting and financial wisdom.

It's almost impossible to talk about Rodney without also talking about Janice – they were high school sweethearts, virtually inseparable, and unable to stay angry with one another for any real length of time. In their more active years, the two of them enjoyed landscaping and gardening together. They loved traveling to Pennsylvania, where they developed deep friendships with the family of Lester and Sharon Zimmerman. They enjoyed hosting friends and family at their Browns Summit home. They laughed a lot and genuinely enjoyed each other's company.

Rodney is predeceased by his parents, Howard and Mary Smith; his sister, Betty Vernon; his brothers, Charles, Mason, and Curtis Smith; and his wife, Janice Swaney Smith, who he regularly and proudly referred to as the love of his life.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff Smith and wife, Sherri; Brian Smith and wife, Marti; Brad Smith and wife, Jamie; his grandchildren, Austin Smith, Bethany Fulk, Camden Smith, Dalen Smith, Gail Hernandez, Jamie Hatchell, Chris Smith, Tullia Smith, and Amarah Smith; and his great-grandchildren, Abby, Westin, Graham, Andrew, Ella, Eli, and Henry.

The Smith family would like to express their thanks to the special caregivers who attended to his needs as he became bedbound, especially Rhonda Pate and Faith Leach with Affordable Family Care, and to the palliative and hospice care staff at AuthoraCare Greensboro. Special thanks also go to Rodney’s friends and extended family for their visits and kind words throughout his cancer journey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Senior Resources of Guilford/Meals on Wheels Route 279 (1401 Benjamin Parkway, Greensboro, NC), Hospice of Guilford County/AuthoraCare Collective (2504 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405), or to a charity of your choice.