Thelma Fender Smith

Thelma Fender Smith, age 94, of Nebo, North Carolina passed away Friday, April 6, 2018 at the SECU House of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Smith was born June 18, 1923 in McDowell County, NC to the late Garrett W. Fender and Delia Norman Fender.  She was a longtime member of Sunny Grove Baptist Church where she was the pianist for 66 years.  Her passion was music.  She was an avid gardener and enjoyed her flowers.  She loved her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy Eugene Smith and three siblings, Dorothy Lockman, Paul Fender and Tommy Fender.

Left behind to cherish Mrs. Smith’s memories are three children, Joyce Rayburn (Jim), Lena Murdock (Lewis) and Miriam Early (Steve); five grandchildren, Julie Rayburn Keller (Jimmy), Andy Davis, Matthew Davis (Daphne), Megan Early Ryals (Scott) and Morgan Early Sellers (Brenan); three great-grandchildren, Grace E. Keller, Delia E. Keller and Matthew Davis; three siblings, Maude Lawing, Elva Jenkins (Herbert), and Max Fender (Marie); and one sister-in-law, Becky Fender.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Beam Funeral Service.  A funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Jim Brewer officiating.  Interment will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 9, 2018 at McDowell Memorial Park.  Those serving as pallbearers will be:  Andy Davis, Matt Davis, Mike Fender, Dale Fender, Kevin Dunham and Cole Fender.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in memory of Thelma Smith to:  Hospice of the Carolina Foothills (Hospice of Rutherford County), PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607