Inez Britt Smith, of Lumberton, NC, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl P. Smith; her parents, Andrew and Eloise Walters Britt; her sisters: Elsie Kinlaw, Dale Smith, Vashti Musselwhite, and Dorothy Stewart; and her brothers: Robert Britt, Ralph Britt, and Pittman Britt.

She is survived by her children: Lynn Bright (Ron) of Apex, NC, Jan Morrow (Billy) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Steve Smith (Candy) of Shallotte, NC; her grandchildren: Amber Giles of Raleigh, NC and Jarrad Giles of Raleigh, NC; her great-grandchildren: Rachel Giles, Carly Giles, James Giles, Lauren Giles, and Naomi Giles, all of Raleigh, NC; her sister, Eloise Talley of Albany, GA; and her sister of the heart, Edith Melvin of Lumberton, NC.

Inez was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a woman of strong faith, she demonstrated that faith in all aspects of her life. She always put God and her family first. Inez was a homemaker who took great joy in creating a loving home for her husband and children. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making clothes and other special items for her children and grandchildren. An amazing cook, Inez's biscuits, lemon pound cake, and thin-layer chocolate cake are legendary. She also worked alongside Earl at Smith's Sanitary Cleaners in Lumberton.

As an active member of Raft Swamp Baptist Church in Lumberton, Inez sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School, and served as secretary/treasurer of the Women's Missionary Union. She was also an active member of the Sonshiners. Together, Inez and Earl delivered many meals to the elderly members of the community and Inez also volunteered her time with Public Schools of Robeson County by reading to children in the area elementary schools.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Proverbs 31:25-31

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Raft Swamp Baptist Church ( PO Box 1314, Lumberton, NC 28359), Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, ( 400 Flemington Drive, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28540 (www. boysandgirlshomes.org/donate.html)], or Alzheimer's Association, ( 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612 (www. alz.org)].