Linda F. Smith Obituary in Fuquay-Varina at Trice Funeral Home, Inc.

Obituary For Linda F. Smith

Linda Faye Smith was born on March 19, 1947 in Roanoke, Virginia to William and Virgie Mae Thornhill. She was one of 16 siblings. Linda’s parents died when she was young and her older siblings played a major role in her upbringing. She moved to Youngstown, Ohio to live with her cousin, Dreamer Poindexter, and later moved to Mount Vernon, New York and lived with her eldest sister, Betty White and Betty’s daughter, Sandra Dotson. She attended Roosevelt High School in The Bronx, New York and Fashion Institute in New York City.

Linda was introduced to the love of her life, James Howard Smith of Godwin, North Carolina, by a mutual friend in the summer of 1963 at a party being held in Mount Vernon, New York. The couple married on August 19, 1967 and had three beautiful children, Danny Lawrence, Pamela Danell and Terence Maurice. They raised their children in The Bronx, New York. She worked at Fine Recording, Inc. putting reel-to-reel audio recordings together and, shortly thereafter, worked at JC Penney Company as a key punch operator.

Linda had a thirst for Bible truths. She began to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and, as her love deepened for her Heavenly Father, she made a decision to dedicate her life to Jehovah God and was baptized on September 10, 1980. Howard noticed the changes Linda made in her life because of her faith and her desire to make Jehovah’s heart happy. He also began to study the Bible and was baptized in 1982 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They were members of the Clason Point Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in The Bronx, New York where they developed deep friendships that they continue to hold today. Linda loved the ministry and loved to share and teach Bible truths with all whom she met, assisting many to develop their love for Jehovah God and also dedicate their lives to Him.

In 2006, Linda and Howard left New York City and moved to Holly Springs, North Carolina where they continued to serve Jehovah in the West Holly Springs Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She enjoyed many warm friendships.

Linda loved to laugh and was known to have a loving and feisty personality. She was usually one of the first on the dance floor. She was an amazing seamstress. One of her favorite sports was bowling and she loved to play checkers and backgammon. She loved to draw and everyone loved her cooking. She and Howard were known to travel great distances to visit family and friends that were sick. She truly loved her family and her friends. Most of all, she loved Jehovah God and his son, Jesus Christ. She loved to read and meditate on Bible scriptures. She drew comfort from one of her favorite Bible verses found in Isaiah 41:10, 13 which says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness. For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.” Linda’s faith was unwavering and her hope in God’s promises sustained her throughout her life. She especially looked forward to eternal life in the restored earthly paradise promised in Revelation 21:3, 4 when God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” She looked forward to seeing her son, Danny, again, together with the many family and friends that preceded her in death. During her final days, she encouraged all to “keep serving Jehovah” and told us to make sure we did all we could to be in that promised new world soon to come. She often sang her favorite song, “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!” We look forward to seeing our dear Linda again soon. Until that glorious reunion, she will be greatly missed. Linda is survived by her husband, James Howard Smith; her children, Pamela D. Alexander (husband, Brian), Terence M. Smith (wife, Deborah); her grandchildren, Crystal Smith-Stroud (husband, Jermeir), Shaneé Smith, Jaylin Smith, and Jade Benson-Smith (Danny’s children), Charles Alexander, and Ariana Smith; her great-grandchildren, Jordan Stroud and Charli Bea Stroud. Linda is also survived by her siblings, Willard Mack Thornhill, Carol Barksdale (husband, Larry), Melvin Thornhill (wife, Pam), Janice Thornhill, Pauline Woodard, Clyde Thornhill (wife, Annette), William L. Thornhill II (wife, Debra) and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Linda is preceded in death by her son, Danny L. Smith; her parents William L. Thornhill and Virgie Mae Thornhill; siblings William L. Thornhill Jr., Mary E. Beale, Frances E. Thornhill, Bobby Thornhill, Lucille M. Thornhill, Betty J. White, Harvey White and Brenda Lee Thornhill Cotton.

A Memorial Service will be held via Zoom at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021. A video presentation will be shown prior and will begin at 1:45 p.m. Following are the Zoom details: Join Zoom Meeting

https://jworg.zoom.us/j/85044519894

Meeting ID: 850 4451 9894

Passcode: John528

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Hey Brother Smith, I am truly sad to hear about the passing of sister Smith. I appreciated watching you & her serve Jéhovah enthusiastically as young child in clason point. I still remember. May Jehovah give you the strength and comforted needed at this time. James I.Gutierrez

I know that words can not take away your sorrow, but I hope the concern and caring of everyone around you will bring you peace at this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing that your dear loved one is in Jehovah's memory. With Love Rosezell ❤

To: Howard, Terrance, Debbie, Pam and family. I know it's very painful losing a dear loved one. I'm so sorry Linda has fallen asleep in death. Soon that enemy will be gone and it will be such a joy to see Linda with her pleasant smile singing and dancing again. May Jehovah give you all the strength to stay firm at this difficult time. Tina knight.

Br. Smith, please accept our deepest condolences; our prayers are with you and family. Linda is certainly in Jehovah's memory and soon she will enjoy perfect health and everlasting life in the promised New World. Orlando, Aurea, Justen, Aryssa Berrios

Br. Smith, please accept our deepest condolences; our prayers are with you and family. Linda is certainly in Jehovah's memory and soon she will enjoy perfect health and everlasting life in the promised New World.

Dear Brother Smith, May Jehovah God comfort you and your family at this difficult time. Thanks to Him we have the wonderful hope of the resurrection. Psalm 23 Love, Sister Jean Miller

My deepest condolences to you and your family she was a very love sister she was strong and kind and I will miss her very much looking forward to seeing her again in the new system of things Priscilla Fontanez

Dear Brother Smith and Family, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy to you and family for the loss of your beautiful loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a beautiful spiritual sister who was loved and admired by many of us and whose fine example of faith will never be forgotten. Please know that many of us share your grief and I pray that Jehovah, our loving God of comfort and tender mercies, who knows the depth of your loss strengthen each of you and help each of you to find peace day by day. With you and family in looking forward to the happy times ahead of being reunited with Sister Smith in the new world to come. Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 41:10 Love, Sister Rawlins 💕

My dear brother,HOWARD, my heart is soooo devastated in learning of the passing of your dearly loved and precious LINDA. As a wife, mother, sister, and friend, LINDA beared ALL of these EXCEPTIONAL QUALITIES: That of GRACEFULNESS, ELEGANCES, COMPOSURE, DIGNITY, and the one that stood out most of all , was her GREAT LOVE FOR JEHOVAH!!!! These qualities are very rarely found in a person, but they exited in our dearly, beloved LINDA!!! I will also miss her GREATLY!! My hugs, kisses, and prayers go out to you to your children,to your grandchildren and family. LUV ALWAYS, MILLIE CANADA

To the entire Smith and Linda's extended families, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Linda was a wonderful woman. I wish I knew her when she was younger.... One day! All my prayer to you. — Barbara Bogue ❤️

Howard and family we are deeply saddened by the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother Linda a dear friend of ours for many years both in New York and North Carolina she will be greatly missed she worked the ministry with my wife Delcina as a zealous servant of Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ our condolences to all our desire is to see her again in the New World when she will stand up again in the resurrection to live forever in a paradise cleansed earth. May Jehovah give you the comfort needed to sustain you in the difficult days ahead. Kenford and Delcina Frank

Our hearts are with you at this time of loss. Phillip and Mary Edmonds Amherst VA

To Linda family I had always known Linda as a very sweet person. I am very sorry for your loss of Linda. My heart go out to the family. May Jehovah comfort your at this difficult time. I look forward soon to see Linda in the resurrection.
This is Paulette Martin sister Carmen Martin.

Forgot to sign. Paulette Jordan Martin

There are not enough words to express the loss of my dear Sister. She was a sweet, precious gift from Jehovah and will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to you Howard, Terence and Debbie, Pam, Carol, your grandchildren, and relatives. May Jehovah comfort you and lift you up and give you strength beyond normal. And may he constantly remind you that we will see Linda again soon. I can imagine her waking up with that twinkle in her eye as we greet her on the long reception line on the other side. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you, especially you Howard.

Howard and family, You have our sincere and most heartfelt sympathy. I enjoyed the visits with Linda over the years. Seems like no matter the occasion, we could always share a laugh. God bless and strengthen you through this difficult time. Ruby (McE) Underwood and McEachin Family

Brother Smith, you have my heartfelt condolences. I will always remember Linda in the kindest way. May Jehovah give you the comfort you need during this time. Sincerely Sandy Thompson

I forgot to add from John and I.

Howard, Terrence, Deb, Pam and all the family of Linda. John and I send all of our love and prayers to you all. We loved Linda so much but take comfort in knowing we will see her again.

Linda was a genuine sweet person who always had a kind word to say and had a beautiful personality she will be missed greatly The Bennett's Clason point

I am so so sorry for your loss linda was a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to work with in service

Dear brother Smith Sorry for your lost. May Jehovah give you and your family comfort. We will always remember Linda.
Sincerely Linda Jenkins Clason Point Congregation

Dear Brother Smith I am sorry for your lost. May Jehovah give you and your family confort.

God bless and comfort you during this time of sadness. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time and we look forward to welcoming her back in Jehovah's New World. Love, The Dail's

Brother Smith & Family we're so sorry to hear our dear sister has fallen into the deepest of sleep for now. May Jehovah comfort and strengthen you all. And please remember to invite Mom and I to Linda's resurrection BBQ 🤗 Philia Annette Davenport and Joyce Garcia

Mr. Jim our sincere condolences to you and your family. Our prayers are with you and the family. Torenzo & Jessica Lott

Hello Jim, Brenda and I are so very sorry for your loss! We have all the more reason to look forward to the resurrection. May Jehovah continue to fondle your soul with his loving kindness! Joe and Brenda Holly

Sandra & l Send our Love so sorry for the pain,and my how we look forward to Seeing her in the new world.
Bobby & Sandra jackson

Our prayers are with the Family

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