Anna Barnhill Smith

Mrs. Anna Barnhill Smith, age 89 of Wilkesboro, formerly of Wilson, NC passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Wilkes Rehabilitation and Senior Care. 

Funeral services will be announced at a later time. 

Mrs. Smith was born September 4, 1931 in Beaufort County, NC to Walter Lee Barnhill and Sybil Hardison Barnhill.  She lived most of her life in Wilson, where her father was on the Town Council and ran Barnhill’s Drug Store in the Five Points neighborhood.  She relocated to “the mountains” in Wilkesboro in 2014.   She resided at Rose Glen Village until 2020, and then at Wilkes Rehabilitation and Senior Care for the last year of her life. 

Anna graduated from Charles L. Coon High School, where she was salutatorian in the Class of 1949.  She attended the University of North Carolina Women’s College and graduated in 1953 with a major in Home Economics. 

In 1953, she married Eston C. Smith, and they were married for 58 years until his death in 2012.  For a number of years, she taught Home Economics at Rock Ridge High School, and Child Care at Hunt High School.  She was an expert seamstress and cook.   After retiring, she traveled widely and particularly enjoyed their special golf trips to Myrtle Beach.  She was a life long member of First Christian Church in Wilson, NC. 

Anna was a woman of the strongest convictions, who seldom changed her opinion once she made up her mind.  But she was also a woman of immense kindness, pragmatism and sensibility, who always knew how to make a friend wherever she went, and who never forgot a kindness.

She was the keeper of the family memories.  Over nine decades, she collected a virtual encyclopedia of family memories, stories, photographs and recipes which she lovingly preserved so her family would always be proud of where they came from.  Her pound cake, fried chicken, chicken pastry, macaroni and cheese, and sausage were legendary.  Her numerous photo albums and scrapbooks ensure she will never be forgotten.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Eston) and brother Walt (Oren) Barnhill.  

She is survived by her sons; Blane Smith of Farmville, NC and Brian Smith (Sandra) of Wilkesboro, four grandchildren; Alden Smith (Wilson), Neal Smith (Dallas, TX), Jackson Smith (Cary), Rachel Smith (Farmville), and great-granddaughter; Lila Smith (Wilson).  She is also survived by her many cherished family members and friends. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Wilson, NC, 207 Tarboro Street, NE, Wilson, NC 27893. 

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com. 

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