Allen Vann Smith

Mr. Allen Vann Smith, 77, died on January 20, 2022. Friends and family lovingly called him “Ike.” He was born in Pitt County and resided most of his life in Craven County. He was a graduate of Farm Life High School in Vanceboro. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and Education Administration from East Carolina University. Allen retired after 28 years with Craven County Public Schools, where he was principal of Graham A. Barden Elementary, Jasper Elementary, and James W. Smith Elementary. Prior to being a principal, he was a teacher, coach, and assistant principal at numerous schools throughout Craven County including West Craven High School and West Craven Middle School. After his career in public education, he enjoyed a second career as a car sales consultant with Joe Alcoke and Cella Ford. He was a member of St. Mary’s Free Will Baptist Church in New Bern. Allen was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Marie Newell Smith; parents, Andrew Jefferson Smith and Thelma Arlene Smith; brother, James Vernon Smith. He is survived by son George Allen Smith; daughter Andrea Smith Bailey and husband Mark of Durham; sisters Ola Mae Haddock of Greenville and Linda Sue Smith of New Bern; brothers Gorman Andrew Smith of Vanceboro and Harold Dean Smith of New Bern; sisters-in-law Barbara Newell Morris of Bath, Bettie Newell Hill of Friendsville, TN, and Cathy Newell Oakes of Grifton. He also treasured being ‘Grandpa Ike’ to his chosen family Lacey and Wes Lambe and their children Clyde and Hudson, of Chapel Hill. Allen was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, Grandpa, coach, and educator. He enjoyed being outdoors, travelling, visiting family, birdwatching, photography, tending to his many plants and flowers, watching sports and Westerns, spending time with children, and going to the beach, especially Ocracoke Island. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 24, 2022 from 3:00pm-5:00pm at Cotten Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 5:00pm. Masks are requested, please. Entombment will be at Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern. Donations in Allen’s memory may be sent to the Craven County Partners in Education: www.bit.ly/3rp3IFY (direct link) or https://cravenpartners.com/pay-online/ > Pay Donate Online > Memorials and Honorariums. Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory.