Thelma Smith

Our Sweet Mom:  Our hearts are broken but we are rejoicing that you are in heaven.

Thelma Lloyd Smith, 86, died on February 11, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on July 21, 1936 and was the daughter of the late Arnold and Gertrude Lloyd. She graduated from Saugus High School in 1954. After marrying her sweetheart Kenneth Smith on June 29, 1960, she relocated to North Carolina, which she called home for most of her life. She led a full life and was a world traveler. Some of her favorite places to travel were to Papa’s Camp in New Brunswick, Canada, Newfoundland, Canada, Colorado to visit her daughter and sister, and Hawaii. Her greatest adventure was a 30-day trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. 

For 62 years, she was married to the love of her life, Kenneth Smith, together they raised four wonderful children. Thelma was the best wife, mother, and Grammie and prided herself in being an exceptional homemaker. She cared deeply for her family and neighbors and was always the first to open her home or to offer help. She was the best cook and regularly hosted dinners and holiday gatherings for her family and friends. While in Fayetteville, she was an active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, and after relocating to South Carolina, she transferred her membership to Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. She loved living at the beach and could be found many days sitting in her chair by the water, swimming, or walking the beach collecting seashells. She was tiny but mighty and was known for her feisty, yet loving nature. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Thelma is survived by husband, Kenneth Smith; son, Kenny Smith and wife Leslie; daughter, Heather Kurtz and husband Conrad; daughter, Caroline Ford and husband Larry; and daughter, Ashley McCann and husband Michael; her beloved grandchildren: Kelsey Smith and husband Justin, Kaitlin Godwin and husband Ryan, Lily Grace McCann, and Teagan and Greyson Smith; her great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Stryker Smith; her brother, Robert Lloyd and wife Sylvia; sister, Louise House and husband Barry; and sister Janice Simmons. She was blessed with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Sutton Smith.

A celebration of her life will be held on February 16, 2023 at eleven o’clock at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church with a reception immediately following. Her favorite color was blue. Please feel free to wear blue to celebrate the vibrant life she lived.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

Hope’s Kitchen at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
410 6th Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 or

Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch
531 Hillsboro Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301