Margaret L. Smith

Margaret Langley Smith died at Kindred Nursing Center on Friday, December 6, 2013, having been a patient there after suffering from a fall in June. Her birthplace in 1924, was just down the road in the West Mount Community where she lived her entire 89 years.
At her birth, to Susan Bone Langley and Frank W. Langley, now deceased, she was the baby of six brothers and sisters: William Dawes, Gordan Dawes, Jack Langley, George Langley, Undine Lamm and Jewel Harkey, all deceased. Margaret adored all her big brothers and sisters. After her mother became a widow, Margaret and her husband, Rudolph S. Smith made a home for Mrs. Susan. For twenty years, their home was the gathering place for all her siblings and their children. Even after her mother’s death, her home was the family home for a growing number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and has continued on to the present.
Margaret attended Nash County Schools and graduated from Benvenue High School as valedictorian. She grew up with Rudolph and after his service, during World War II, they married on April 14, 1946 at Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church in the West Mount Community. At his death, they had celebrated 65 years of marriage.
In this marriage were born four children: Susan Arey, Roslyn Gragg (Larry), Rudy Smith, and Beth Smith. The four, plus twenty – some first cousins, made for a lively household on holidays and every day. Margaret was a devoted wife and mother. One year she actually was PTA President at four different schools.
The family worshiped at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in the West Mount Community; a church founded by her in-laws, Mattie Culpepper and Fred Smith, deceased. At Bethlehem, Margaret was an Elder of the Session, active in Women’s Circles, Sunday School, Bible School, and always the Reader for the Christmas Cantata.
Faith, family, and friends were her passion. As financial officer of Rocky Mount Schools, she still found time to serve her community in the Home Demonstration Club, Women’s Club, Ruritans, 4-H, and local charities. Several times she was awarded Woman of the Year for her dedication to her community and her church. Many neighborhood couples had Margaret as their wedding director.
After her retirement, she and Rudolph traveled and welcomed six grandchildren: Meg Arey Bell (Ray), Jennifer Arey Holloman (Steve), Marley Gragg Ungaro (Andrew), Allen Gragg (Rachael), Jeffrey Valentine, and Amanda Smith. Nana and Gooddaddy were always eager to babysit, play, shop, and prepare Sunday lunch at their home on Bethlehem Road.
Great-grandchildren were added to this large, lively, happy family: Langley Ungaro, Grey Ungaro, Roman Desmond, Stephen Holloman, Jr., Joshua Holloman, and Arby Bell.
For Margaret’s 80th Birthday, her family compiled and created a cookbook with all her famous recipes. Her legacy of entertaining will be continued along with her graciousness and strength and especially her devotion to her family, her friends, and her faith.
Margaret leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister-in-love, Mattieleene Johnson, many loved nieces, nephews, and friends, especially her bedside companion, Dee Welsh, who has blessed the family with her devotion to Miss Margaret.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tar River Mission Clinic, 1041 Noell Lane, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00pm on Monday, December 9, 2013 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A service to remember Margaret will be held at 3:00pm at the funeral home with Rev. Dan Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com