KITTRELL - Grace Edwards Smith, 86, died on November 1, 2013 following a tragic fire on Oct. 8 which burned thirty percent of her body.  She was airlifted to N.C. Jaycee Burn Center at UNC in Chapel Hill, where she remained until her death.

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 4, at Perry’s Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Dave Kerr officiating.  Burial followed in the church cemetery.

She was born on Feb. 2, 1927 to Robert and Annie Edwards, who are deceased, as is her sister, Mozelle Thayer of Louisburg.

Surviving: husband, Ben; son, Wesley (Shelia) Smith of Kittrell; daughter, Elaine Couch of Roxboro; sisters, Ruby Wester of Kinston, Rose Jones of Knoxville, Tenn.; brothers Malcolm Edwards (Ann) of Greenwood, S.C., Gerald Edwards (Linda)  of Louisburg, and Waylon Edwards (Debbie) of Kittrell; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Grace attended schools all over Franklin County throughout her life. She and Ben worked together on the farm for many years. She attended Vance-Granville Community College and worked at Sun Terrace in Louisburg for many years.

She was an active member for the past 63 years at Perry’s Chapel Baptist Church where she held many positions. 

In lieu of flowers. donations can be made to Medical Foundation of NC, Inc., 880 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514, In Memory of Grace E. Smith for the Jaycee Burn Center, or to the family to assist with medical bills.

Arrangements handled handled by Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Services, 804 N. Bickett Boulevard, Louisburg. Online condolences may be made to www.lancasterfcs.com.