Hilda Gray Smith Deaton, born on October 22, 1922, left the earth on December 11, 2018.
She was the second child of Willie Mark Smith and Gertrude Johnson Smith of Silk Hope.
In addition to her parents, Hilda is predeceased by her brother, Clifford Smith, his wife Evelyn; sisters, Willa Mae Love, her husband Jerome, Rachel Holliday, her husband Earl, brother, Willard Smith, his wife Francis and sister Betty Lou Brooks, her husband Robert and nephew, Billy Holliday.
Hilda is survived by her daughter, Debbie Dobbins and her husband James of Durham, as well as her grandson, Charlie Dobbins of Potomac, MD; her beloved nieces, Ann Mann, Pattie Smith, Cindy Reid, Denise Scott and Karen Hodge; nephew, Sammy Love, as well as their spouses and families.
Raised in a farming family in Silk Hope, NC Hilda moved to Greensboro, NC in the early 40’s where she worked and resided until 2008 when she moved to Durham, where she could be close to her daughter’s family and her beloved grandson. She moved to Brookdale Durham in 2016 where she enjoyed an active social life and made many new friends.
She never forgot her farming roots and loved to spend time in her garden growing vegetables and flowers. She was well known for her prodigious memory and was the keeper of the family history and memories. She never met a stranger and was well loved in her newly adopted community of Durham.
The family received friends Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in the Silk Hope community. A funeral service followed at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jason Dickerson officiating.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the Alzheimer Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209 or Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 3631 Mt Vernon-Hickory Mountain Church Road, Siler City, NC 27344.
Smith & Buckner Funeral Home assisted the family.