LeRose Welch Smith, 90, of Southern Pines, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, at St. Joseph of the Pines, of natural causes.
A Mass in her name was celebrated at St. Joseph of the Pines by Father John Nicola and Father Anthony Malabad on Monday, Jan. 28.
LeRose Smith was the wife of Col. Joseph Patrick Smith, who preceded her in death in 2005. She will be buried alongside him in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Born Dec. 16, 1922, in Cordell, Okla., LeRose worked in the office of the attorney general of Oklahoma. She married Lt. Smith on August 18, 1942, who shortly was to serve in the European theater, and lived in Oklahoma City until the war was over and the two were happily reunited.
She was a proud “Army wife” for 31 years and was a “single parent” while her husband, Patrick, served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During the many years of service they resided in such far-ranging places as Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Fort Sill, Okla., the Pentagon and in West Germany.
LeRose was a very accomplished seamstress and an avid golfer. Her decorating skills were well-known to all that entered any one of her many homes across the country and overseas. As a golfer she won many awards and scored at least three certified holes-in-one. She was also an accomplished pianist and organist.
LeRose and Patrick built a home on Lake Thagard, in Whispering Pines, in 1965 and retired there in 1975. Around that time she and her husband and son-in-law, Michael Stevens, opened a successful small printing business (Kwik Kopy) in Raleigh. They worked at the business for several years before selling it in 1982 and retired for good to their lake home. The two were longtime members of St. Anthony’s of Padua Catholic Church.
In 1989, they built their final dream home, also in Whispering Pines, and lived there until 2003, when Patrick’s failing health led them to Belle Meade and eventually to St. Joseph of the Pines.
Surviving LeRose are her children, Cecily Anne Stevens, of Wilmington, David Lawrence Smith, of Raleigh, and Joseph Stephen Smith, of Trinity, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family is much indebted to the wonderful and professional staff who cared for LeRose and her husband for many years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Joseph of the Pines. Online condolences may be left at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home is assisting the family.