May 30, 62, Mt Olive
Deborah Ann Bell Smith, passed away quietly at home surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer. Born and raised in the Rones Chapel community near Mt. Olive, she was the daughter of the late Lonnie and Virginia Bell of the Rones Chapel Church and community, Highway 403.
She was a 1972 graduate of North Duplin High School and received a business degree at Mount Olive College. Currently employed with Cavenaugh Agriculture Supply near Dunn, she served as accountant and sales associate.
Deborah was a person of many interests, but her favorite hobby was growing plants and flowers, which she pursued fervently, until recent years when she had several health issues.
A Service of Remembrance will be held Thursday at 6:00pm at Mt. Olive Pentecostal Holiness Church with Pastors Jeffrey Dail and Elvin Butts officiating.
She is survived by her son, Matt Smith and his friend, Samantha Hampel; two grandchildren, Madison Smith and Matthew Smith; step-mother, Lucille Bell of Mt. Olive; sisters, Amanda Bell and fiancée, Tom Perry of Rocky Mount, Eveline B. Cherry and husband, Marvin and Sheila B. Anderson and husband, Billy; best friend, Sue Eason of Goldsboro; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
Along with her parents, her passing was preceded by her nephew, Woody Cherry and a great-niece, Gracie Carol Anderson.
It is the wish of the family that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be presented to Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, PO Box 53485, Fayetteville, NC 28305 or to Mt. Olive Pentecostal Church, 130 Ed Edmundson Rd., Mt. Olive, NC 28365.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Smith family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com