Dixie Lou (Russell) Smith

Dixie Lou Smith, 71, of Broad Creek, passed away Monday, October 24, 2016 at Carteret Health Care.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Broad Creek Church of God with Pastor Robbie Strickland officiating.

Dixie was born to Daniel and Polly Russell on October 31, 1944.  The youngest girl of fifteen children, she was raised farming and later worked in her parents’ oyster bar.  It was there that she met her husband, Lester Gibson “Gibby” Smith, with whom she recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.  Through the years living in the Broad Creek Community they raised their children and others as their own.  They were her life’s work until the grandchildren came.  One by one, they were the apples of her eye.

Dixie was a people person and her various occupations proved that.  After retiring from her restaurant, she later went to work with the school system at Broad Creek Middle School in the cafeteria.  She was recently described as being a “generous spirit” by one of her nieces and that really summed up her life.  If she knew of a need, she would respond without waiting to be asked.  Her John Deere mower would arrive at someone’s home just because she knew they were unable to cut their grass.  She found her time in her yard and others’ as peaceful.  She enjoyed visiting the nursing home and making a difference.  With bags or baskets in hand, every occasion was celebrated with senior citizens, widows, widowers, and those that she knew.  She did not need a reason to be thoughtful, but if she had one in her own mind, a cake or muffins would be delivered.

Dixie is survived by her daughters, Donna Smith Yeager of Newport, Sabrina Mann Allen of the home, Lisa D. Smith-Perri of Cape Carteret and Lela Smith Britt of Crab Point; son, Gibson Price Smith of the home; grandchildren, Tabitha Allen of Cleveland, TN, Tyler Cannon of the US Navy and Newport, Zachary Smith of the home, and Alisa Smith of the home; siblings, big sisters, Alice Ebron Cherry of Crab Point, Gertrude Russell Paul of Hamburg, NY, Mabel Russell Swinson of Newport, Ann Quinn Hawkins of Wallace, baby brother, Ronnie Russell of Lumberton; many loving nieces and nephews; and sons in law, Thomas Yeager, Prentice Perri and William Britt Jr.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Polly Russell; son, Lester Gibson Smith Jr; siblings, Lucy Haila, Donnie Russell, Daisy Russell, Alena Glancy, Dorothy Nichols, Dillard Russell, Roy Russell, Robert Russell and Leon Franklin Russell.

The family will welcome friends from 6:00 – 8:00 Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Broad Creek Church of God.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Broad Creek Children’s Youth Fund, 394 Broad Creek Loop Road, Newport, NC 28570.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are my Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.