Shirley Mae Smith

Shirley Mae Smith, 85, of Hickory, NC, made her last gesture on April 12, 2024, signing off on a life filled with love, courage and joy. God blessed her by being born to the late Plez Smith and Lonia Winkler Smith on October 31, 1938 –however, she would spend many years telling folks she was born on the 30th of October because of the teasing she incurred growing up.

Being born during the Depression to a hard-working, farming family shaped Shirley's formative years, and resulted in a lifetime of frugality, fun and fierceness. She was a fun-loving sibling, with a mischievous sense of humor especially when it came to milking cows. She enjoyed being active and would often play softball after Sunday lunch with her sisters, Lovie Reid (d. 2015), Minnie Bell Bowman (d. 2015), Dimple Haas (d. 2018) and Nadine Day of Granite Falls; along with her brothers Plez “Butch” Smith (d.2009), Jearl Henry Smith (d. 2021), and Marcus Smith (d. 2023). She was blessed to be the younger sister of Evelyn V. Smith (d. 1936) whose life was taken too soon for her to play softball.

Shirley graduated from Hudson High School in 1956 and soon after married. That union brought four beautiful children into Shirley’s life. She devoted her time, talent and treasure to the protection and provision of her children; Pamela and Richard Waggoner of Cary, NC, Greg King and Denise Smith of Bethlehem, NC, Tanya Schmidt of Hickory, NC and Mitzi Bissette of Wake Forest, NC.

While working full-time at a hosiery mill she also attended certification classes to earn her license to offer insurance policies. During her time at Independent Order of Foresters she excelled, often earning top sales agent. Shirley loved to travel in her mid-life years and especially enjoyed the tranquility of the beach.

After many years in insurance she moved her organization and communication skills to the political arena working for Sen. Jesse Helms at his Hickory office. There she met her second husband, Michael Holt (d. 2002). Shirley and Mike lived in Raleigh for about a year before coming back to her beloved home in Hickory where they welcomed a Samoyed puppy, “Major” into the family. Shirley loved her furry son. When she would stop at Checkers, Major would always get a burger.

Her home in Hidden Valley was a cornerstone for many of the teens, young adult neighbors and her children. Shirley, like her mom, loved plants, flowers, and gardening. She enjoyed having her hands in the earth to plant, weed, pick and can fresh vegetables, pickles, sauerkraut, fruit preserves, jams and jellies. Shirley was considered by many a fabric artist and hand-made several quilts for her family and friends.

She was a fun-loving grandmother. She would often say, after her first grandchild, Aaron Tyler Schmidt of Zebulon, was born, “If I could have had grandchildren first I would.” She adored all of her grandchildren. A few years after Aaron’s arrival Shirley would continue to be blessed and welcome three granddaughters into her life, Anna Katherine Casey and Daniel Casey of Bunn, Kabian Elizabeth Bissette and Sam Nicole Bissette both of Wake Forest. Recently, she welcomed her first great-grandson, Charles James Casey of Bunn.

Words cannot express the full life she lived pouring love into her family. She leaves a legacy of positivity, tenacity, conservative values, hope in prayer and above all love.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory, 940 29th Avenue, NE Hickory, NC 28601 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Bill Sturm officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hope Reins via their website or by mail. 8420 Wake Forest Hwy., Raleigh, NC 27613.

Online condolences may be left for Shirley at www.drumfh-hickory.com.

Drum Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Smith family.