Laura Ervin Smith

She was born in Burke County, January 25, 1934 to the late Senator Samuel James Ervin Jr. and Margaret Bell Ervin. In addition to her parents she was proceeded in death by her husband, William Edward Smith, and her brother Judge Samuel James Ervin III, and a sister Margaret Leslie Hansler.

Laura was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School and Junior College in Raleigh, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was employed as the Director of Evaluation and Guidance at the North Carolina School for the Deaf; she was a certified teacher of the deaf and attended graduate school at Appalachian University.

She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Morganton where she served as a member of the Vestry; member of the Altar Guild and was an Advisor and Chair of the Trustees of the Grace Episcopal Church Foundation. She was an incorporating member, Board Member and Secretary of the Historic Burke Foundation. She served on the boards of the Community Concert; the Literacy Council, Morganton Community Appearance Commission; Morganton Service League; Burke Library Foundation, North Carolina State University Humanities Foundation Board. She was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution. She was President of the Quaker Meadows Garden Club; President of the Burke County Council of the Garden Clubs and a National Garden Club Flower Show Judge. She loved music, her flowers and gardens, and extensive traveling.

Laura was survived by daughter Catharine Corn and son-in-law Kenneth Corn and son Hallett S. Ward III; grandsons, Samuel , Matthew and Nicholas Corn; grandson Sidney Ward; Stepsons, William Smith and wife Julie and their children William, Elizabeth, and Gabriel Smith and Matthew Smith, wife Cynthia and their children Tory and Lydia and Zoe Smith. Also brother–in-law Gerald Hansler.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 303 S. King St. Morganton, NC 28655.

Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton has the honor of serving the family.