Lois Smathers

Lois Aldeen Waldrup Smathers, age 84, passed away on November 1, 2012 at the Mars Hill Retirement Centerr. Aldeen was born May 19, 1928 to Clifford and Thelma Merrill Waldrup. She is preceded in death by both her parents; her brothers, Vester, Elwood, and Jimmy Waldrup; her sister, Carlene Frisby; and her great-nephew, Shane Frisby. She retired from the Federal Land Bank in Asheville after working for many years at the Madison County Department of Social Services. She was an active member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church. She also was Past Worthy Matron of the Marshall Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She received her 50-year pin of service in 1998. Aldeen was a person who depended on her faith to get her through life's difficult times. A wonderful example of someone living their life in service to others, she spent many of her adult years caring for each of her parents. She married H. P. Smathers on September 18, 1983. They spent the rest of her life loving and appreciating each other. Together, they traveled to almost all 50 states as well as many other countries around the world. They lived life to the fullest, never taking anything or anyone for granted. Their love for each other has always been an inspiration to family and friends. Aldeen is survived by her husband, Hank; her sisters, Luellen (Royce) Costic of Macon, GA and Luetta (Don) Gregg of Hendersonville, NC; 9 nieces and nephews; 17 great-nieces and nephews; and 7 great-great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church with the Reverend Daniel Dockery and Reverend Tom Lomax officiating. Burial will follow at Ashelawn Garden of Memories. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, 283 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. A special thank you is extended to the staff of Mars Hill Retirement Center, to the staff of Hospice, and to the wonderful caregivers provided by HomeWatch Caregivers. They made her last days on earth as comfortable as possible and she always knew how much she was loved. The family is deeply grateful to Susan Whitt, their niece, who so lovingly oversaw her care during the years of her illness.

Previous Events