Prominent Lady Has Passed Away, June 22, 1923

Prominent Lady Has Passed Away. . . Mrs. Mamie Little Smith Died Friday June 22nd After an Extended Illness

As day dawned on the morning of Friday June 22nd, 1923, the spirit of Mrs. Mamie Little Smith passed to the land of Eternal Life.

So gently did the Angel of Death enter that those who have watched so lovingly and patiently for many months, scarcely knew.

Mrs. Smith was born on November 2, 1862 at Pactolus, N.C. She was the daughter of W.W. and Harriet May Little. She was married on December 19th 1888, to Mr. R.W. Smith of Farmville. Until their recent coming to this town, they had spent their married life at the old Smith Homestead five miles from town. Their children, who live with Mr. Smith, survived her, are, Chester of Fountain, N.C., Robert, Farmville, N.C., Durward and Heber of Oak City, N.C., and Mattie, Mamie Ruth, Julius and Lillian, all from Farmville. Also surviving her are two brothers, George and Alonzo Little of Pactolus and a sister, Mrs. Sam Harris of Terraceia, N.C. One little daughter, Alma, died in infancy.

Mrs. Smith joined the Methodist church at an early age and remained in that church until 1912 when she with Mr. Smith (words obscured) Presbyterian Church at Kings X Roads. Since moving to Farmville in 1919 they have been members of the local Presbyterian Church She was an earnest worker in the Ladies Auxiliary of that church and, while she was unable to take an active part in the work for the past year, her unaltering sympathy for an interest in the work was ever an inspiration to the others.

As we looked on her glorified face that last day, as beautiful in Death as her life had been, the thought came time after time, that surely she had approached her grave “as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” It must be that God had put into her harms that Babe—that one which He, knowing her love for little ones, had taken years ago to give back to a loving mother for Always, as she entered her Heavenly Home.

To say that she will be missed, expresses too mildly the great void which her going has made in the hearts of all who knew her. The wonderful, cheerful and constant care she has received from her husband and children speaks louder than any thing else could, what she meant to them. It was not just because she was the natural mother in the house, but the mother who was never heard to raise her voice in anger, who was never too busy, too tired or too sick to listen to the call of all who needed her. Truly one of God’s Gentlewomen has gone Home.

She was laid to rest just as the sun was setting Friday afternoon. Rev. C.A. Lawrence, her pastor, voicing the sentiments of the host of all loved ones and friends, as he paid her the highest tribute we have ever heard.

The sympathy of the entire county is with the husband, and with those on, next May, will for the first time, wear a white flower for the mother who waiting for them all Over There.

From the front page of the Farmville Enterprise, Friday, June 29, 1923. In May on Mother's Day, people wore a white flower if their mother was dead.