Faye Dean Smith

Faye Dean Smith was born on January 2, 1939, although she wouldn’t have wanted us to tell you that, because as she always said, “Age ain’t nothing but a number, and mine’s unlisted.” Born in Harnett County, she was the daughter of the late Edwin Burl Dean and Vada Adams Dean. She went to school in Buies Creek and attended Campbell University, where she proudly played on the Women’s Basketball team.

Faye’s happy place was at the beach. When she was young, she met the Fort Fisher Hermit many times and is even pictured in a book about him. She loved being able to walk over to the beach from her home in Carolina Beach and was content to sit in the sand, search for sharks’ teeth, or dip in the water.

Faye worked for 23 years as a Bookkeeper at the NC Division of Veterans Affairs in Wilmington, where her coworkers became lifelong friends. She enjoyed working but what she loved was performing. She was a talented singer and was at home in the spotlight. She sang in the church choir, at weddings, and on karaoke nights. Elvis and Patsy Cline were her favorites, and she knew every word to all their songs. She also enjoyed being in many movies and TV shows, including Matlock.

Faye took pride in her family, including her extended family, and if she met you, she was sure to tell you about them. She loved her daughters, their partners, and her grandsons deeply, and was proud of each of their accomplishments. She had an especially close relationship with her nieces and nephews too, loving them as if they were her own. She enjoyed sending cards and giving gifts to her family and friends. If she knew it was your birthday, there is a good chance she would drop by with a homemade pound cake or fudge pie, or if you stayed with her, there would be made from scratch biscuits in the morning. She loved beauty, fashion, and clothes and was skilled at finding just the right thing at the thrift store. She was perpetually young in both spirit and appearance. If you asked about her outfit, she would be delighted to tell you where she got it and for what a steal!

Faye left this world on Thursday, March 14, 2024, surrounded by love. Her voice, her beauty, and her love will be so deeply missed. We will think of her every time we see a cardinal or a crepe myrtle in full bloom.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 6-8pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Angier. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 23rd at 11:00 am at Buies Creek First Baptist Church, Buies Creek, 118 Main Street, Buies Creek, NC 27506.

Faye is survived by her daughters, Traci Smith (Elizabeth Denning) of Asheville, and Tanya Kronstad (Dan) of Durham; brother, Jerry Dean; grandchildren, Erik Kronstad, Caleb Kronstad, and James Kronstad; nieces, Diane Matthews, Renee Hord Cantrell, Debbie Hord Stephenson, Shelley Kimberling; nephews, Donny Hawley, Ken Hawley, and many grand and great-nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Marie Hord and Doris Hawley Carroll; and nephew, Ricky Hord.