Audrey Estelle Smith

Audrey Estelle Smith, 93, of Salisbury, North Carolina went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, North Carolina. She had been in declining health for a number of years but seriously ill for only a short time.
Audrey was born at home on January 25,1926, in Iredell County and was the oldest daughter of the late Manuel and Verlie Lou Shaw Smith. Audrey was educated in Harmony Schools and graduated from Harmony High School class of 1947. She enjoyed her annual class reunions attending all but one over the years. She was proud to be a part of the 72nd class reunion on May 11, 2019. Audrey loved the pictures from those reunions and for years has shared with her classmates a summary of events at the reunion documented in the pictures she faithfully mailed to them after each reunion.
She loved her Lord and Savior and her church. At an early age she attended Rock Spring Baptist Church in Harmony where she was baptized on November 3, 1936 at J.O. Bumgarner’s pond. She was a part of the first baptismal service held after the new church was built. The church and its members held a very special place in her heart. Audrey also loved her Salisbury church and attended Milford Hills Baptist Church on E. Colonial Dr. in Salisbury where she made many lasting and cherished friendships.
Audrey loved to read her bible and studied the scripture. It inspired her to write numerous “inspirations” about living a Christian life and what it meant to love the Lord. She wanted everyone to know that the true secret to happiness is knowing and serving the Lord.
After leaving the Harmony family farm around 30 years of age, Audrey cared for her nieces in her sister’s home for 11 years moving with them to Salisbury in 1957. Following that she began work for Cannon Mills later known as Pillowtex and retired with 20 years of service. Audrey loved gardening, outside work, her birds and wild flowers. Retirement allowed her to spend her days doing the things she so enjoyed. In her retirement she was again blessed to help care for children; those of her dear friend Beth who she considered like a daughter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Webster Manuel Smith and Herbert Shaw “H.S.” Smith, a sister, Betty Lou Smith; a sister-in-law Margaret Swisher Smith; and a brother-in-law, Richard Arlin Ross.
She is survived by a sister, Lena Mae Smith Ross, of Salisbury; a brother Robert Newton Smith of Harmony; a honorary daughter with whom she took her residence and who has helped care for her during the past several years, Beth Holt and husband Duane; special grandchildren Tess Putman and Don Taylor Putman (Deanna); nieces Cindy Grant and husband, Joe, of Salisbury, Carolyn Williams of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Tracy Brown and husband, Dale, of Hickory; nephews Randy Smith and wife, Renee, and Donald Smith, both of Harmony; great niece Wendy Kavalir (Charles III) and their children Charles IV, Grant and Mackenzie of Miami, Florida; great nephew Chris Soveranez and brother Samuel of Santa Fe, New Mexico; numerous cousins and special friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the very dear friends in Audrey’s life who gave her such joy and support on a daily basis. They would also like to thank the staff at the Hospice House, for their attentive care and concern during her final days.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00pm Monday, July 22, 2019 in the Sanctuary at Rock Spring Baptist Church, 509 Rock Springs Road, Harmony, N.C. 28634 where Audrey will lie in state.
Funeral services celebrating Audrey’s life will be held at 2:00pm Monday, July 22, 2019, following the visitation, with the Reverend Bruce Beck officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rock Spring Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/c Sharon Krider, 572 Powell Bridge Road, Harmony, NC 28634; or the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.nicholsonfuneralhome.com . Nicholson Funeral Home of Statesville is serving the Smith Family.