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Lena Marie Pittman Smith

October 25, 1933 ~ December 14, 2020

WILSON - Lena Marie Pittman Smith, age 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Parkwood Village in Wilson. Born in Wilson County, NC on October 25, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Barney David Pittman and Martha Ellen Edwards Pittman. She was also preceded in death in 2008 by her husband, Franklin R. Smith, formerly of Black Creek; and in 2016 by her daughter, Ellen Grace Brame Garvin of Hopewell, VA. Lena grew up on her parent's farm on Rosebud Church Road near Elm City. She graduated from Elm City High School in 1951. In 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, C.A. Brame, Jr. while he was a Marine. In 1957, on their daughter's third birthday, C.A. was killed in a tragic tractor accident. Lena returned to Atlantic Christian College in Wilson graduating in 1960 with a degree in Elementary Education. She and Frank Smith met and were married in July of 1960. Lena taught in Wilson, Roanoke Rapids, and Jacksonville and retired from Goldsboro City Schools after 30 years of teaching. After retirement, Lena cultivated her interest in and aptitude for art and genealogical research. She enrolled in art classes at Goldsboro Art Center and spent many days there painting with oils and pastels. Her art was entered in several art exhibits winning blue ribbons. She especially enjoyed painting country, coastal, and historic scenes as well as nature, flowers, and birds. Her second retirement love was genealogy. She learned to use a computer and spent countless hours researching in libraries, by phone and computer, building a meticulous history of several families, Pittman, Edwards, Webb, and Smith. Her archives include volumes of notes, pictures, deeds, wills, census, and military records. She loved sharing the details of her research with everyone, especially making and sharing pictures of ancestors and family history. Lena wrote many accounts of her experiences growing up on the farm and life with her family. Throughout Lena's life, family and home were her love: Ellen Grace, David, Trey, Frank, her parents, sister, and nieces and nephew. Most Sundays were spent in Wilson County with parents and extended family when children were young. Summers included family beach trips and travel. Later Lena and Frank traveled extensively throughout the United States, England, Ireland, Panama, Egypt, Alaska, and Nova Scotia. Frank especially enjoyed tropical cruises while Lena enjoyed the historical trips. Lena was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Women Educators, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Goldsboro Women's Club, Goldsboro Garden Club, Wilson County Genealogical Society, Saint Luke's Methodist Church in Goldsboro. Lena's family is grateful for the loving care she received at Parkwood Village in Wilson. Jaime Waters, executive director, Kim Jordan, director of health service, Ginger Jones, Director to Bridge Recovery Unit, the medical technicians and nursing assistants in the memory care unit and also Mena Sullivan who kept Lena's hair looking beautiful. Ascera Hospice staff gave Lena loving and professional care. Oliva Leonard, Anne Kearney, social worker, Kay Reese, assistant nurse, were exceptional, and they are loved and appreciated. Lena is survived by her son, David A. Smith and her grandson, Trey Anderson Smith both of Newport; her son-in-law, William C. Garvin of Hopewell, VA; her sister, Jeannette P. Pittman and husband, Grady, of Rocky Mount; her nephew, G. Leonard Pittman and wife, Julie, of Staunton, VA; her niece, Alison Pittman Frederick and husband, Greg, Louisa, VA; her great-nieces, Natalie Frederick of Greenville, Grace Pittman of Raleigh; and her great-nephew, Joseph Frederick of Louisa, VA. A Private Graveside Service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lena's memory to Alzheimers Association Eastern NC, 5171 Glenwood Ave., Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Service Maplewood Cemetery 400 College Street, NE Wilson, NC 27893 A Private Graveside Service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson.

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  1. I’m so sad for your loss and please accept my deepest condolences. I going to miss Ms. SMITH because i have known her every sense i was a little boy and she and her husband have always treat me nice.

  2. Jeannette, I was sorry to learn of the passing of your sister. May God comfort you and your family during this time of loss.

  3. To Jeannette and all the family of Lena, My thoughts are with you. Each that we lose takes a part of us. May you feel the sympathy and understanding of others. May you find strength in the love that surrounds you. May the stars carry your sadness away and may you find comfort and peace. Remember ….. those we cherish will always live on in memory. Heartfelt sympathy. Judy

  4. To Jeannette and all the family of Lena, My thoughts are with you. Each that we lose takes a pasrt of us. May you feel the sympathy and understanding of others. May you find strength in the love that surrounds you. May the stars carry your sadness away and may you find comfort and peace. Remember ….. those we cherish will always live on in memory. Heartfelt sympathy. Judy


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