Elizabeth Smathers

Lake Junaluska-Mary Elizabeth McNeal Smathers, age 95, of Lake Junaluska and Asheboro, died Saturday, September 6, 2003. She spent the last few months of her life at the Clapps Nursing Center in Asheboro and will be buried next to her beloved husband, the Reverend Frank C. Smathers, in the Morning Star United Methodist Church cemetery in Haywood County.

She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the eldest of five children of the late Rev. Dr. Daniel Houston McNeal and Mary Elizabeth McNeal. She was the granddaughter, daughter and wife of Methodist clergy. Currently, her son-in-law and granddaughter are United Methodist ministers.

The Reverend Frank Smathers and Elizabeth McNeal first met when he was a student in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University and she was a graduate student at Scarritt College. They were married for sixty-six years and dedicated their ministry to the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. They were no mere caretakers but assiduously carried on the mission of the Church. Frank preceded her in death in 1996.

To this marriage were given two sons and one daughter: Vance A. Smathers, who died in 1975; Dr. Keener McNeal Smathers and his wife Joan, who reside in Morganton; and Elizabeth Smathers Martinson and her husband Dr. Jacob C. Martinson of High Point. Mary Elizabeth is survived by three sisters: Frances Hargraves of Georgia, Lucille Rambeau of Washington State, and Virginia Hughes of Alabama. Also surviving are a daughter-in-law, Mary Creed, and her husband, Col. William Creed, of Blowing Rock; six grandchildren, Vance Smathers, Jr. of Greensboro, Elizabeth Martinson of Jefferson, Ann Johnson of Chester, Virginia Frances Smathers of Waynesville, Kirsten Martinson of Winston-Salem, Daniel Smathers of Boone; five great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Edna and Lewis Drye of the Morning Star community.

Frank and Elizabeth Smathers spent most of their retirement years, nearly thirty in number, at Lake Junaluska in the mountains of North Carolina. The mountains were one of their deepest passions.

Elizabeth Smathers had a love of life and a beautiful presence. Those in the facilities where she spent her last days spoke of her as one of the most dignified women they had the privilege of knowing; and they will miss her nearly as much as her family.

Most of all the family shall miss her undying devotion to the life of the Church and the ministry thereof. Her rare ability to encourage and inspire meant so much to so many. Whether working with the young or the elderly, she was the best possible role model. One might consider her to have been a Renaissance Christian minister's wife, a most engaging, lovable and dignified human being.

A graveside service will be held for Mary Elizabeth at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at the cemetery of the Morning Star United Methodist Church, Dutch Cove Road, Canton, with the Reverend Douglas L. Love and the Reverend Robert E. Fuquay, Jr., officiating. In case of rain, the service will be held in the church. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Morning Star United Methodist Church, 2535 Dutch Cove Road, Canton, NC 28716 or to the Long's Chapel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 459, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.

Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville is in charge of arrangements.

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