Jean Paylor Smith

Jean Paylor Smith died January 19th at the William Dunlop Center for Caring (Hospice House) after a brief illness. She was the daughter of Ernest Dewey and Beulah Councilman Paylor. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother Wayne Paylor. Jean grew up in Alamance and Person counties and graduated from Roxboro High School and Woman’s College, now known as UNC-Greensboro. She taught high school English prior to the birth of her children. She also taught Sunday school for many years at Forest Hills Baptist Church and volunteered as a docent at the NC Museum of Art for 20 years. She always said she didn’t want a lot of flowery comments said about her in her obituary but we would be remiss in failing to acknowledge what a loving and amazing lady she was. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Richard Davis Smith, Sr. She is survived by her two children Richard Davis Smith, Jr and his wife Marie Jones of Brevard NC; her daughter Beckie Smith Leone of Greensboro and her two children Heather Holden and Andrew Davis Leone both of Greensboro and a great-grandchild Dean William Michael (Heather’s son). She also had four step-grandchildren: James Leone and Jodi Leone Sheldon of Raleigh and John and Jason Leone of Greensboro - children of John Leone (deceased). She had five nephews: Ken, Jack, Todd and Jed Smith and Mike Paylor and two nieces: Shelley Hobson and Dale Henslee-Smith. 5A memorial service will be held Monday January 23rd at 1pm at Forest Hills Baptist Church at 201 Dixie Trail. Visitation will follow in the Gathering Place. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Transitions Lifecare (Hospice House) 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Forest Hills Baptist Church 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607.