Chonda Kay Smith, 48, of Columbus, NC passed away Friday, September 3, 2021. She was born to John Moody Smith, Jr. and the late Donna Kay Smith on September 11, 1972 in Lumberton, NC.

She was a graduate of Lumberton Senior High School in 1990 and Meredith College in 1994. Chonda had a lifelong commitment to her Christian faith, a contagious laugh, and hardly a moment went by without her loving on her animals.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Donna Kay Smith; her paternal grandparents, John Moody Smith, Sr. and Ada June Evan Smith; and her maternal grandmother, Christine Kinlaw Barker.

She is survived by her father, John Moody Smith, Jr. of Lumberton, NC; her maternal grandfather, William T. Barker, Sr. (Tom)  of Lumberton; a uncle and aunt, William T. Barker, Jr. and Carol Coggin Barker of Raleigh, NC; and her cousins, John Kinlaw Barker (Anna Knotts Barker), William Thomas Barker III (Megan Bare Barker) of Raleigh NC,  Elizabeth Blair Hunt (Quinn Douglas Hunt) of Greenville, SC, and Kathy Allen Smith of Mooresville, NC. Chonda also leaves behind cherished family friend, Gabby Rodgers of Lumberton, NC, and a multitude of extended friends.

A graveside funeral service will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Lumberton, NC with Pastor Jay Stewart officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to either make a monetary donation to Mr. John Moody Smith's continued financial support or to a Diabetes Foundation in Chonda's memory.