Frances Smathers

Canton- Frances Cogburn Smathers- age 83 of 200 Spruce Street "Mama's Mountain" died Monday, November 1, 2004 at her residence. She was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and was a daughter of the late George and Bessie Pruitt Cogburn . She was also preceded in death by her husband Loranzo Fryson Smathers, who died May 15, 1994. Her late husband and his brother, C. Underwood Smathers were the owners and operators of Smathers Supermarket in Canton. Four brothers, Ed, Cecil, George, Jr. and Carl Cogburn also preceded her in death. Shre retired in 1993 as a Parole/Probation Officer with the N. C. Dept. of Corrections with 25 years of service. She was a member of Canton First Baptist Church and Irene Berry Smith Circle. She was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, a member of the Canton Historical Commission, served with the Haywood County Election Board and was active in the Democratic Party. She is survived by one daughter Nancy Smathers Hall and her husband Dr. Lorne Hall of Lake Lure, two sons, Michael Loranzo Smathers and his wife Cindy and Patrick Underwood Smathers and his wife Sherry all of Canton, one sister Mable Cogburn Harris of Canton; 5 grandchildren. Michael Jason Smathers, Zebulon Loranzo Smathers, Anna Nicole Smathers, Nathaniel Underwood Smathers and Alexandria Michele Smathers; 2 step-grandchildren, Dr. Andrew Hall and Pamela Standish. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, November 4, 2004 at Canton First Baptist Church. Reverend Dr. Rick Gosnell and Reverend Dr. James E. Langford will officiate. Entombment will follow at The Horizon Mausoleum at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Canton. Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Bob and Terry Harris, Hillary, Don, Bill, Larry and Ronnie Cogburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas, Tommy, and Jackie Cogburn. Memorials may be made to the general fund of Canton First Baptist Church, 74 Academy Street, Canton, NC 28716.

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