Viola Smith

Viola Arbutus Howard Smith, 90, of Oakboro, passed away, Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Trinity Place in Albemarle.

Funeral arrangements will be announced when they become available.

Ms. Smith was born on April 18, 1935 in Union County to the late Jesse Earl and Mary Crisco Howard. She graduated from Burnsville High School. She was married to Earl Watson Hahn and had five children. Those surviving are Pam Biles Parker of Mt. Gilead, Roger L Hahn and Dwan of Locust and Todd and Kathy Hahn of Locust and daughter-in-law Sandra Hahn, brothers, Gary Howard and wife Helen of Wingate and Keith Howard and wife Pam of Marshville. Viola was a beautician for many years in Marshville. She worked in textiles and was the owner of Oakboro Restaurant before retiring due to health issues. She was a long time member of Mineral Springs Baptist Church in Oakboro where she attended until moving to Burnsville.

She loved to plant her garden so she could freeze for the winter. She also loved to sew and make clothes for her daughters and friends. She enjoyed listening to Bluegrass music and going dancing in Oakboro and various locations. She was a wonderful mother, sister and daughter and always helped anyone who needed help. She was a very hard worker and always provided for her family. She loved cooking chicken and dumplings for family gatherings and making homemade coconut cakes, and don't forget, her fried apple pies that only special people got. She always made sure her brother Gary got some if nobody else did. She loved sitting on the porch in the sunshine and napping while watching the cows graze. She loved it when all her kids came to see her and bring the grandbabies too.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husbands, Earl W Hahn, Wayne L Efird, and Jay Lee Smith; and her daughter Kay Caulder and son Richard 'Rick' Hahn; and extended children: Rickey (Sonya) Efird and Bobby (Sheila) Efird; brothers: Clyde, Homer, Pete, Wade, Charles and Melvin Howard; and sisters: Polly Robinson and Patricia Griffin.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her extended children: Jeff (Marisa) Efird, Rodney (Vickie) Efird, and Pam (Cliff) Jeffery; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

The family wants to send a special thanks to Trinity Place and Tillery Compassionate Care Nurses and CNA's for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mineral Springs Baptist Church Brotherhood, 4694 NC 205 Oakboro, NC 28129