Wilmington resident, Sam Dylah Danford Smith, age 87, passed away on April 25, 2018 .
The visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Wilmington Funeral Chapel, 5-7 PM. A celebration of her life will be held at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1401 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM with Revs. Beth Hood and Adam Baker presiding. The Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jessie Savage, Alex Smith, Brad Smith, Josh Smith, Nathan Strickler, and Chuck Walker.
Dylah was born in Chadbourn, NC to the late Abram Thomas and Elizabeth ,”Lizzie”, Page Danford. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Louis Robert Smith, Jr., of 64 years and by 16 brothers and sisters; Zed Earn Danford, John William Danford, James Thomas Danford, Barsee Lath Danford, Larry Frost Danford, Woodard Danford, Marion Reece Danford, Beulah Adma Danford, Hattie Lee Danford, Arley Afree Danford, Tula Adell Batson, Valah Echert Memory, Eris Matha Cottle, Reliah Oyce Miller, Bessie Danford and Lyritt Enlow. She is survived by two sons; Louis Robert Smith, III and wife Patricia, Robert Danford Smith and wife Ann, three grandchildren, Brad Smith (Julie), Sara Smith-Silva (Sean) and Josh Smith, five great-grandchildren and one sister, Northena Adams.
Dylah attended schools in Whiteville, Old Dock, Burgaw, and Wilmington at Hemingway, Tileston, and New Hanover High School. She also attended Emmanuel College one year in Athens, Georgia. Dylah worked at Ideal Laundry as a “counter girl” early in her marriage. She took time off after the birth of her two sons to work inside her home. She returned to work outside the home when her sons were older and later proudly retired with twenty years of service from France Neckwear Manufacturing, Inc. when it closed its doors in Wilmington.
Dylah was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church for over 60 years, a member of Whispering Pines Garden Club, The Order of the Eastern Star (Goldenrod Chapter, Number 142) and The Ladies of the Wilmington Shrine Club. She was known fondly for her creative decorations made for special events that her affiliated clubs sponsored during her active volunteer life. In the 70’s Dylah took up art and created 21 paintings that she has shared with her sons, their wives, and family members. She enjoyed painting with oils and watercolors.
Dylah was a kind, talented and generous woman who was deeply loved and appreciated by her family and many friends. She volunteered her time and talents with joy. She was humble, gracious and a genuinely peaceful woman who will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church 1401 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, c/o Sudan Shriners, 403 East Front St., New Bern, NC 28560.
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 South 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403.
910.791.9099
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