RALEIGH

Rachel Lee Dixon Smith, 90, of Raleigh, went home to be with the Lord on April 18, 2020.  She was preceded in death by her parents, the Reverend Leonard Monroe Dixon Sr. and Ada Lee Andrews Dixon, both of Chatham County.  In 2015 she was preceded by her husband of 63 years, Jarvis Wilton Smith Sr.   She was also preceded by two sisters, Ruth Dixon Sessoms and Geraldine Dixon Blanton and young daughter, Ginger Lee Smith.  She is survived by her half-sister Theresa Dixon Batten and half-brothers LM Dixon Jr. and Terry Dixon.  She is survived by her son Jarvis Wilton Smith Jr, wife Charlene, grandchildren Rachel Ann Smith Atkinson (Tyler), Jacob Wilton Smith, and Melanie Ruth Smith Wilkinson (Matthew), great grandchildren Teddy and Bo Atkinson.  She is survived by her son Mark Alan Smith, wife Lesley, granddaughter Morgan Christine Smith (Miguel) and great grandchildren Ellie and Sienna Morales Smith.

Born in Louisville Kentucky when her father was in seminary, she was raised in North Carolina in Hertford, Colerain, Gastonia and Cameron.  She attended Campbell College, Meredith College and Hardbarger Business College.  She and Jarvis were married in Cameron in 1952.   In early married life in Raleigh she was a bookkeeper at Tabernacle Baptist Church where she and Jarvis were faithful members since 1952.  In 1954 she became a stay-at-home mom until 1966 when she went to work for the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation until retirement.

Rachel and Jarvis were kind, loving, honest and generous.   They enjoyed church fellowship and Sunday afternoon visits with family and friends.  She was very agreeable and rarely complained about anything. She loved cooking for her family and fellowship around the table.  She much enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She will be missed by all.

She will be laid to rest on Wednesday April 22 at 1 PM at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.  A graveside service for family will be conducted by the Reverend Dane Hadley.  A memorial service to celebrate her life will be planned for a later date.