In 1952, Della Mae married the love of her life, Melvin Smith. Together they built a life rooted in devotion and steady commitment, and they were blessed with two sons, Roger and Douglas Smith. Della Mae and Melvin remained together until his death in 2003.
Throughout her life, Della Mae carried herself with quiet independence and a hard-working spirit, expressed most clearly in the everyday ways she cared for others. She was kind-hearted and compassionate, with a thoughtful presence that made people feel seen and valued.
Della Mae found joy in simple, meaningful pleasures—planting flowers in her garden, feeding the birds, and tending to her animals. She also loved listening to country music, especially Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline. In the kitchen, her care was unmistakable: she was known for making good fried apple pies and chicken and dumplings.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Della Mae was preceded in death by her six siblings.
Survivors to cherish Della Mae’s legacy are her two sons, Doug Smith and Roger (Delaine) Smith; her sisters, Lettie Ruth Cassidy and Earlene Spence; grandchildren, Samantha Watkins, Melissa Smith, Rodney Harris, Rhonette Harris, Kathryn Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Piper Boyles, Georgia Watkins, and Claire Penley, Destiny Hunt, Aubry Kiss, Kalijah Kessler, Killian Bowers and Kratos Bowers.
A Celebration of Della’s Life will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Sechrest-Davis Funerals and Cremations of High Point, NC. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Floral Garden Memorial Park Cemetery of High Point, NC.
