Janie Smith Conyers

Janie Smith Conyers, 89, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday. Born and raised in Raleigh to the late James C. and Fleta Watkins Smith, she was a graduate of Needham B. Broughton High School, class of 1948. Janie was a loving, compassionate and hard working person, who was always ready to lend a helping hand. A lover of all things to do with animals, she was a very large part of the Dog Show circuit for over 30 years, mainly focusing on poodles. She was a longtime member of the Raleigh Kennel Club, owner and operator of Fairview Kennels and an avid N.C. State Wolfpack fan. Services are being held privately, however Mrs. Conyers will lie in state from 2:00 – 4:00 PM on Thursday for viewing and signing of the register book. The family will not be present during this time. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by daughter, Debra Conyers Fearing; brother-in-law, John Martin; sister-in-law, Anna Jean “G.G.” Conyers and great-granddaughter, Lilu. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra “Sandi” Anderson (Tommy) and Teresa “Terri” Tripp; grandchildren, Tricia Kolb, Heather Miller, Regina Whittaker, David Tilley, Melissa Maltez-Lara, Katelyn and Branch Olive; great-grandchildren, Will, Ben, Ruby, Dominika, Gerardo, Luka and Elias; sister, Emily Lou Martin; best friends, Barbara Merrick and Roberta Davis, “Wolfpack buddy”, James “Jim” Smith; dear friends, George and Bridget Stewart, Joe and Vicky Mills and Michael Lamb, along with a long list of many, many poodle loving friends.