Laurie Ann Miller Smith

Laurie Ann Miller Smith

01/29/1944 - 06/06/2025

  Laurie Ann Miller Smith, 81 of Goldsboro, NC, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025 in her home while surrounded by family. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Wayne Memorial Park, 2925 S US 117, Dudley, North Carolina. Dr. Steve Webb of RiverBend Church, Rocky Mount, North Carolina will officiate. 

  In Laurie’s honor, we have 2 requests for her service: PLEASE WEAR SOMETHING RED, and we invite you to join us in adorning her casket with a long-stemmed red rose (fresh or artificial). Feel free to add ribbons and/or notes.

  A gathering of friends will take place at the home immediately following the graveside service: 107 Torhunta Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

  Laurie received her nursing degree from James Walker Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Wilmington, NC in 1965. She and Benny were married the same year on July 11. She spent her years as an RN serving in various health care fields: RN at Cherry Hospital, Onslow Memorial as head nurse, and subsequently teaching Health Occupations at Jacksonville High School and Fike High School. She briefly served as a Mental Health nurse in Wilson, NC. Laurie retired from teaching at Fike High School in Wilson, NC in 1991. 

  Laurie was a devoted wife, mother, nurse, and teacher. She was happiest when spending family time at Kerr Lake, the NC mountains, and beaches. She loved to travel with Benny, supported him in Masonry and Shrine, served in the Wilson Eastern Star and on the board of the Wilson Chapter of Rainbow girls. Laurie also loved spending time with and spoiling her grandbabies. Laurie is fondly known to her family as “Laurie” and “Laurie Ann” as well as “Mema” to her 5 grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Mr. Benjamin “Benny” Smith, Jr., their beloved cocker spaniel, “Trooper”, and her parents, Lawrence R. and Ann T. Miller. Laurie is survived by her daughter, Leigh Smith Harris and husband, Robert of Dover; son, Ben Smith and wife, Christie of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Jessica Grace Harris, Noah Robert Harris, Laurie Shiloh Harris, Anna Lee Smith Barnes and husband, Austin; Benjamin Smith, IV “B4” and fiance’, Myra Skinner; two sisters, Snow Proctor (Richard) and Connie Jones (Keith); and her two cocker spaniel “babies” Sarge and Sheba.

   Flowers are welcome, or please consider memorials to: Gentiva Goldsboro 2309 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534, or Shriners Children’s, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, Georgia, 30394

  Condolences directed to Joyner's Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net