Mrs. Maxie C. Smith

Mrs. Maxie “Maxine” Joan Chandler Smith, age 76, of Cana, VA, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Smith was born in Mount Airy on May 15, 1941, to the late Claude Marion and Sarah Thomas Chandler. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be dearly missed. Among the many who will always cherish her sweet memory are her devoted husband, Marvin Smith; daughters and a son-in-law, Gina Beasley, Julie and Bart Pharr; sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Johanna Smith; and Benjie and Sheila Smith; grandchildren, Chynna Elledge, Garrett Smith, Taylor Beasley, Isaac Smith, Chandler Pharr and Connor Smith. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM, Monday, January 1, 2018, at Salem United Methodist Church by Rev. Tyler Hege and Rev. Bud Cameron. Music was provided by Choir Director Wendy Marion and the Salem Choir. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends at the church one hour prior to the service. The honorary pallbearers were: Wade Ayers, Donald Thomas, Garrett Smith, Isaac Smith, Taylor Beasley, Todd Elledge, Chandler Pharr and Connor Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Salem United Methodist Church’s Women’s Fellowship or Scholarship Fund at 2591 Wards Gap Rd., Mount Airy, NC 27030.

Rev. Tyler Hege read this letter on behalf of Mrs. Smith’s children during the funeral services at Salem United Methodist Church. New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2018 Dear Mama, It’s only been three days since you left us for your heavenly home, and we already miss you. You would have been so pleased with all the family and friends who have come by your house and visited with Daddy and us. The house has been filled with fun stories and memories as people have come and gone since Saturday. You enjoyed many of the same visitors when you were in the hospital. I know you were looking down smiling at all the fellowship and eating that has happened in the past few days around your big kitchen table. We have also shed many tears because you have left us. These tears are shed because we have lost a wonderful mother who kept a home filled with love, cats, dogs and pound cakes. You taught us so many things - how to love, how to become strong parents to our own children, and also most importantly that church isn’t just a place to go. You taught us about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. You also taught us how to start over when we made mistakes. There were times when we made you proud and times when we didn’t, but you loved us the same. You also loved our spouses as your own, even making them special potato salad - minus the pickles. And, your grandchildren, my how you loved your grandchildren! You even got an iPhone and learned how to text to keep up with all of us. You and Daddy set an example for a long lasting marriage - 59 years. That is incredible! We celebrated your 50th anniversary with a surprise party thrown right here in this church. You and Daddy shared many great times together in Las Vegas, Mexico, on family beach trips and just right inside your home on Wards Gap Road. We often heard you say our Daddy was the man you respected and loved the most, and that you loved and respected him more every day of your marriage. We know that Daddy loved you fiercely. You were his wife, mother to his children, best friend, bookkeeper, and at times a good Whist or Rook partner. Mama, we praise God that you are no longer suffering and are reunited with loved ones in heaven that have gone before you. We know Grandma and Papa have welcomed you with open arms. You were also united with your heavenly father on Friday morning. You told us that you were going to see Jesus, and you did it, Mama, you made it! We are not saying goodbye to you, Mama. We are saying, we will see you afterwhile, for we know that we will be reunited with you in heaven one of these days. What a beautiful day that will be! It seems hard to believe that we are starting a new year today without you. However, we will cherish our memories such as eating your hot chocolate oatmeal cookies right off the waxpaper or how you made us feel loved with a snack waiting for us after school. We will carry on, but we will not be without you because we will carry your love in our heart. We know you are looking down on us, and we want to make you proud. We will carry on your example of helping others and making them feel loved. We might not be able to minister to people with a lemon or peanut butter pound cake like you did, but we will remember your goal of charity. As you are tending that heavenly rose garden, you can look down on us without worry for you now know exactly what awaits us when we also meet Jesus. We will take care of Daddy for you he until he is back in your arms.
We love you, Mama. We will see you afterwhile. Your Four Children, Craig, Gina, Benjie and Julie

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