Margaret Evelyeen Wyatt Smith

Margaret “Evelyeen” Wyatt Smith, beloved wife of Wilson L. Smith and of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at her residence after an extended period of declining health, on Monday, December 31, 2012. Mrs. Smith was born in Spencer, NC. She was one of six siblings of the late Pleasant Love (P.L.) Wyatt an Amanda Mayetta Miller Wyatt. She was educated in the Spencer schools and was a graduate of Spencer High School Class of 1939. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wilson L. Smith, who was a co-founder of Food Town Stores, Inc. which later became Food Lion. She married Wilson on July 15, 1943 while he was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force during World War II. They celebrated over 67 years of a truly wonderful marriage prior to his death on April 20, 2011. She is survived by two sons and their families, Ronald L. (Ronnie) Smith and Janis of Salisbury, Timothy R. (Tim) Smith and Rosemary of Morrisville, NC, grandchildren Ashley Smith McMillan and husband Jimmy of Morrisville, NC, Stuart Smith and fiancee Catherine Long of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and great-granddaughter Emerson Rose McMillan of Morrisville, NC. She is also survived by a sister, Ruby Wyatt Walton and husband Jake of Spencer, NC, a brother, Dr. Raymond L.Wyatt of Winston-Salem, NC, a number of special nieces and nephews, and two adopted Food Town sons, Ronnie Marsh and Donnie Marsh, and their families. Also surviving are her two favorite felines, Buster and Goldie, of the home. Prior to her extended illness, she was very active in her church and community. At St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury she was a member of the Eva Peeler Sunday School Class, Altar Guild, Golden Opportunity Club and was treasurer of the Lutheran Women of the Church. She cherished her many friendships at St. John’s and her activities with the GO Club. She and her husband were instrumental in helping organize the Rowan Rose Society and the annual Rose Show in Salisbury. She received numerous awards for her prize-winning roses and flower arrangements. She and her family established The Wilson L. Smith Family Foundation and quietly supported many religious, educational, healthcare and humanitarian organizations in the Salisbury-Rowan community over the years. Her special interest included the Baddour Center for disabled adults in Senatobia, Mississippi. She and her husband received numerous honors and awards, including the Bachman Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. She especially loved gardening, beach trips with her family, traveling with friends and being a member of the Amicitia Book Club. Most of all, she was a very loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her immediate family. Special thanks are extended by the family to long-time caregivers, Josephine Houston and Katherine Seaford, the staff of Bayada Home Health Care and Rowan Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Donna Childress and Dr. Chet Amin, and the staff of Rowan Diagnostic Clinic. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. David Nelson and the Rev. Carl Sachtleben. Visitation will follow in the church library. A private burial is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Nehemiah Fund of St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, the operating fund of Rowan Hospice and Palliative Care, 720 Grove Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, the Rowan County Humane Society, P.O. Box 295, Salisbury, NC 28145-0295 or to the donor’s choice.