Our Staff

Janice Y. Smith

Funeral Director/Manager

Upon Mrs. Smith gaining her heavenly wings in May 2014, Smith Funeral Home, Inc. is now being

managed by her daughter-in-law, Janice Yeoman Smith. Ms. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in

business management from UNC Pembroke, holds a Funeral Directors license with the North Carolina

Board of Funeral Service, and a life insurance license. She is continuing to carry a torch of greatness,

where compassion, honorability, and concern for our fellow man lives on. Smith Funeral Home, Inc. is

now being carried on by its 2nd and 3rd generations.

Rev. Dr. A.R. Smith, Sr

Rev. Dr. A.R. Smith, Sr. possessed a business mind that could not be reckoned with. Rev. Smith moved

from Scotts Hill, NC in New Hanover County to Columbus County. He began his funeral business in

Chadbourn, NC along the railroad track where numerous black businesses were blooming. Dr. Smith

opened the doors of Smith Funeral Home in October of 1949, where he was the owner, funeral director,

embalmer, and on duty ambulance service. Rev. Smith was a graduate of Shaw University of Raleigh, NC,

licensed embalmer, life insurance agent, full-time pastor, and minister to many.

While living in Chadbourn, NC, Rev. Smith met and married Ms. Margaret L. Shaw formerly of Armour,

North Carolina. Ms. Shaw was an educator at Chadbourn Negro High School/Westside School in

Chadbourn, NC. Mrs. Smith was a graduate of Winston Salem Teachers College. The Smith’s loved the

people of Chadbourn, NC, and surrounding counties. As the business and county grew, they moved their

business to Virgil Street, in Whiteville, NC. As times change and people grow, the Smith’s relocated on JK

Powell Blvd. where the building stands today.

Margaret S. Smith

Rev. and Mrs. Smith have served families over all the United States with compassion and dignity. They

have always employed considerate and understanding staff members to comfort the bereaved in their

times of sorrow. When Rev. Smith gained his heavenly wings in December 1989, Mrs. Smith began

carrying the torch and dream that her husband had held high until his health declined, and he

succumbed to death. Mrs. Smith continued to serve the many families and friends that called on Smith

Funeral Home, Inc. to service their loved ones.