Claire Garner Smith

Mrs. Claire Garner Smith, 76, wife of Lamar Smith, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, at her home.

Mrs. Smith was born August 18, 1948, in Durham, North Carolina, daughter of James A. and Nancy Beckham Garner of Laurel Hill, North Carolina. She spent her early years in Hartsville, South Carolina and then moved to Laurel Hill, North Carolina. Claire was a graduate of Laurel Hill High School and St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC. In her younger years, she was an athlete and enjoyed playing in tennis and volleyball leagues and refereeing high school volleyball. She also was a devoted reader of mystery novels.

Mrs. Smith’s life revolved around family, church, teaching, music, and children’s ministry. For many years she taught in the Scotland County, North Carolina School System, where she regarded the preschool special needs children, with whom she worked, as her personal ministry. She was an integral part of Special Olympics in Scotland County.

Mrs. Smith was well known for her love of music, particularly classical, choral, and liturgical, and will be remembered for the beauty of the organ and piano music she provided at many weddings, funerals, and church services in Scotland County and surrounding areas. At the core was her lifelong involvement in the music ministry at Laurel Hill United Methodist Church, where she served as pianist, organist, and choir director until her retirement in 2016, when she moved to Scranton, South Carolina. She also devoted time to anything and everything related to LHUMC children’s ministry.

Mrs. Smith was blessed with two children, who in turn blessed her with six grandchildren: Alex Pearson, Libby Pearce, Wilson Pearson, Justin Ingram, Alyssa Irons, and Lance Adkins. She loved watching them grow up and participating in their lives. Recently, she became a great grandmother of four. She also cherished time spent with her extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will be remembered for her ready smile and quick wit.

Surviving are her husband, Lamar Smith of Scranton; daughter, Nancy P. Adkins of Laurel Hill, North Carolina; son, Vance (Christy) Pearson of Pinebluff, North Carolina; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister, Martha Garner of Randolph, New Jersey; three step-daughters, Stephanie Smith (Michael) Bell, Amanda Ward (Ricky), and Jennifer Smith; three step-grandchildren; one step-great grandchild.

Special thanks to Amedisys Hospice (Amber, Jordan, Melissa, Angel, Tabatha, Suzanne, Catherine, Dr. Lamb, and Rev. Fennell) for their wonderful care during her sickness. Also, a special thank you to Ashley Campbell for being an excellent caregiver.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, October 7, 2024, at Carolina Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Upper Lee Cemetery, Scranton.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

A celebration of her life will be held 3:00 PM Saturday October 19, 2024 at the Laurel Hill United Methodist Church.  

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Church, 159 East St. Paul Road, P.O. Box 126, Coward, SC 29530 or Laurel Hill United Methodist Church, PO Box 217, Laurel Hill, NC 28351.

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