Janet Adele Smith

Janet Adele Smith, 72, of Greensboro, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2016 with her family at her side. She was born on December 17, 1943 in Ridgely to the late Edward Hollingsworth and Peggy Frampton. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Kaye Smith; son, Donald (Donnie) Homer Smith, Jr; grandson, Jacob (Jake) Smith; daughter in law Marcy Willman; Sisters in Christ, Denise Batson and Denise Dunn; brother in law Joe Smith and his wife Cheryl Smith, nephew Brian Smith and his wife Penny Smith; niece, Stephanie Smith; brother, Charles (ShortWheel) Hollingsworth; nephew, Dalton Smith; nephew, ChaseSmith; niece, Sheridan Smith and many family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Homer Smith; mother, Peggy Frampton; father, Edward Hollingsworth; father-in-law, Homer Smith; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Smith; aunt, Mary (Billie) Carroll; uncle, Wilbur Carroll; nephew, Quinn R King; brother, Buck Hollingsworth; brother, Sonny Hollingsworth and brother, Jay Hollingsworth. Janet graduated from North Caroline High School in 1961. She married Donald (Sonny) Homer Smith on June 2, 1962. After marrying Sonny, she threw all of her energies and love into her children and family. She was an outstanding cook and her kitchen was never closed. She loved preparing meals for her family and friends. She and Sonny enjoyed spending time with friends and family singing, dancing, laughing and traveling. After her children graduated, she began working as a secretary and then Co-Owner of D&B Tavern. She retired from J.R. Smith Inc. in December of 2000. She was also a member of the Caroline Memorial Post #7937 VFW Ladies Auxiliary. During the last 3 years, she has been through bouts of illness and a few times during the worst moments, struggling and fighting just to survive another day. Her Will and Determination was Never-Ending and Nor Was Ours. Her husband Always expressed, “You Gotta Be Tough” and she lived by that. Against the opinion of many local medical professionals, she made it home and Enjoyed Most Every Day while gradually working on improving her health for 2 years and 7 months beyond their expectations. She blossomed and began exercising, walking, feeling better and enjoying life to the fullest by accepting her condition and the fight needed to improve. She did this with Happiness, making much of the time fun and filled with laughter. She gave many the chance to Witness an Undeniable True Blessing. Many, including Medical Staff, expressed that “She was a Miracle”. On many occasions, those around her were “In Awe” of her. Sharing the fight with her has been a Huge Inspiration and Gift for So Many. She gave those around her So Much Happiness, Never Complaining and Making Her Daily Motivation A Goal focused on Becoming Healthier. Nothing nor No One Could Dampen Her Will or Desire to Succeed. She also gave us the Gift of Realizing that Not One Day Should Be Taken for Granted. Every day we would share how much we Loved and Appreciated each other and reassured with conviction that we were All in this Fight Together. She redefined what “Quality of Life” is to so many. She proved to many that “Quality of Life” can not be narrowly defined and should be determined individually. She showed that Surrounded Daily by Love, Caring and Compassion can Also Truly Be Happiness And thus, Give A Person a Strong Will to Live Happily No Matter the Circumstances. She gave those around her Laughter and Love Every Day, no matter what her day entailed. It was also important to her to express to everyone that she always stubbornly would say, “I am too old to change”, yet, she felt so silly for having ever said those words during the last several years proving that those words were so far from the truth. Everyone saw the changes she made to continue her Undying Fight, Strength and Will To Live while Happily Doing So. Even During her times of her Hardest struggles when all of her focus should have solely been on herself, she continued to make others laugh, cry and continually entertained. She Truly Was Graceful and Amazing during All of This. No matter where her travels took her during this struggle, she would continue to bring So Much Happiness and Joy to every room that she entered. Most of her Doctors, Nurses and Medical Staff that interacted closely with her over the past several years have been amazed and inspired by her as well. While relentlessly attacking the many complications that arose during this journey, she continued to have a positive outlook and smile which was a true testimony to so many. As a result, often, nurses and staff would congregate to her room just to talk to her about their day because she always compassionately listened with a caring ear. She was always available and encouraging to everyone no matter what her condition at the time. She also continued to always share her never ending wit that brought much laughter to so many. This was so evident that when staff would hear that she were returning home from a bout of illness, many of the staff would hurriedly rush to her room trying to see her before she would leave the facility just to hug, kiss and tell her how much they would miss her and many with tears in their eyes. She was Remarkable! As sick as she became, she always made the Days of Many Better. She left an Impression on Many and Memories to Cherish. We Are So Eternally Grateful to Have Had This Time With Her and Never Wanted it To End. The Many Gifts, Happy Moments, and Memories that she has given So Many Will Keep Her In Many Hearts and Keep Her Alive Inside of Us Until We See Her Again. Those who knew Janet would say that she was God’s Delicate Flower with a Warrior’s Heart. She was Amazingly Strong and Inspired everyone she met. She had a never ending selfless devotion as a wife, mother, grandmother, relative and friend that was always given with an Unconditional Loving Heart. She was one of the kindest, sweetest, most selfless generous people you could ever meet and she will be so sorely missed. “We Love You More” We would also like to express Our Heartfelt Appreciation for the Kind, Competent, Compassionate and Overall Excellent Care with So Much Love and enthusiasm. Thank you to Bridge Park Healthcare Center, Saint Agnes Hospital, Saint Joseph Medical Center, GBMC Medical Center and Anne Arundel Medical Center. Additionally, we would like to express our deeply felt thank you to all the ICU nurses at Easton Memorial Hospital and the kind and sensitive care of Dr. Andrew Vranic. Also, we would like to express our gratitude and thankfulness to Chaplain Maggie Mayo for visiting Janet many times at her bedside and leaving her and her family with words of encouragement, inspiration and faith to help all of us through this tragic time. May God bless you as you go through your days encouraging others.

Janet Adele Smith

December 17, 1943 - December 5, 2016