Helen Wallace Smith

            Benson, NC: Mrs. Helen Wallace Smith, age 87, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022 at her daughter’s residence in Goldsboro surrounded by her loving family. A viewing will be held from 1:00PM to 1:45PM on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 prior to the funeral service at the Benson American Legion Building in Benson.  The Funeral Service will follow at 2:00PM. Officiating will be Rev. Pete Norris. The family will receive friends immediately following the service and other times at the home of Amy and Clint Creed, 631 Tilghman Road Coats, NC 27521. A Committal Service will be held in Roselawn Cemetery following the family receiving friends.

Mrs. Smith was born on November 4, 1934 in Johnston County, NC to the late Willie Riley and Ina Rose Wallace. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Gordon Smith, Sr. and several brothers and sisters. Mrs. Smith owned and operated Benson Fabric Center for many years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 in Benson where she served in many capacities. Mrs. Smith was also a member of Smyrna Original Free Will Baptist Church where she taught the preschool Sunday school class for over 60 years. She was a founding board member of the Benson Museum and the Benson Medical Center. Mrs. Smith was a devoted volunteer for the American Red Cross Blood Drives in Benson. She was a board member of the Johnston County Heritage Center in Smithfield and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Smith was also involved with the South Johnston Optimist Club, Girl Scouts, 4-H and other community and civic organizations.

Surviving include her children, Anita Norris and husband, Pete of Goldsboro, Ray Gordon Smith, Jr. and wife, Terri of Durham, Amy Creed and husband, Clint of Coats; grandchildren, John Thomas Norris and wife, Ashley, Kasey Raye Norris, Morgan Smith, Wesley Smith, Savannah Creed, and Seth Creed; great-grandson, Jacob Thomas Norris; sister, Linda Joyner of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, c/o Cyndy Langdon, 505 W. Parrish Drive, Benson, NC 27504, Free Will Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 249, Middlesex, NC 27557 or Pete Norris Ministries, P.O. Box 2, Goldsboro, NC 27533.

            Condolences may be made to the family at www.roseandgraham.com.

            Arrangements are by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.