Esther LaRue Smith
Obituary
Esther LaRue Smith, 94, of Shallotte died peacefully December 6, 2019. She was born July 14, 1925, in Columbus County, NC, a daughter of the late Carl Hobert Ward and Jewell Ross Ward. Esther graduated from Whiteville High School and earned a Bachelor’s of Nursing from Queens College in Charlotte. Esther began her nursing career working with Drs. Sadler and Wyche in Whiteville, NC. Her passion for nursing was evident in her selfless service to her community. She was a pioneer for what is now known as a home health nurse.
Esther was an active member of Happy Home Baptist Church serving in whatever capacity was needed. She had a heart for foreign missions and supported them through WMU.
Esther’s biggest challenge, but her greatest accomplishment, was raising six girls on a busy tobacco farm. She made sure her daughters developed a love for music and education, but most importantly was having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Her daughters learned by her example. She was a great Christian witness who loved to serve others.
Preceding her in death were her loving husband, Wilbur Manley Smith; daughter, Marian Kay Hudson; son-in-law, Donald Ray Hudson; and grandson, Joshua Ray Hudson.
Surviving are her daughters, Carolyn Cates (Mike) of Knoxville, TN, Janis Basnight (Jesse, Jr.) of Chapel Hill, NC, Jane Osborne (Mike) of Raleigh, NC, Gigi Smith of Ocean Isle Beach, and Amy Spalding of Raleigh, NC; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; siblings, Marian Smith of Greenville, NC, Carl Hugh Ward of Nakina, and Nell Agee of Augusta, GA.
Family and friends will celebrate Esther’s life at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 9, 2019, at Happy Home Baptist Church. Burial will be the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Happy Home Baptist Church, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, or Southeastern Community College to the Wilbur and Esther Smith Nursing Scholarship.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.brunswickfuneralservice.com.
Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte
Information
Send Condolences
Please use the form below to express your condolences, share your memories, or to pass along a personal message to the family. After it is reviewed by our staff for appropriateness, your message will be delivered to the family.
A Note About Privacy If you choose to enter the optional phone, mailing address, or email information, it will be passed along to the family along with your comments. We respect your privacy: this information will not be published, shared, sold or used for any other purpose.