Mrs. Stephanie Smith

November 17, 1969 - April 6, 2022

Stephanie Denise Smith was born on November 17, 1969 to George and Betty Hines of Aurora, North Carolina. She was the “baby” sister to four sisters and liked to remind them of that often. She departed this life on April 6, 2022. Stephanie joined Weeping Rachel Free Will Baptist Church at an early age, which is now known as New Growth Unlimited Ministries, Inc. under the leadership of Dr. Stewart Ham, Sr. She was very active in her church as an usher and children’s ministry. She received her education from the Beaufort County School system, graduating from Aurora High School in 1987. Stephanie had three beautiful children. She received an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Pamlico Community College and this began her life’s work as a daycare provider. In 2011, she married Marvin “Tyrone” Smith and extended her family. Stephanie loved to love-on others, especially children. She opened her first daycare, S & T Daycare of Aurora with her daughter Terri Ham and later continued the legacy with Angel’s Blessings Daycare. She became a second mother, auntie, and grandma to so many of the children in Aurora that will cherish her memory. Her daycare children and many of the students at S W Snowden Elementary School called her Grandma Stephanie. She loved her family with her whole heart and made sure they spent time together regularly. She insisted on big family Christmases, family vacations, Easter Egg hunts, “field trips”, and especially birthday parties. Stephanie LOVED a birthday! Her favorite thing to do was go fishing with her husband (Tyrone). They spent many hours together on the fish creek and on the boat in Virginia. Stephanie was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister, Valerie Faye Fonville, and grandson, Logan D. Williams. Left to cherish her memory her husband, Marvin Smith; her children and their spouses, Terri Ham (James, Jr.) of Aurora, NC, Lavesta “Man” Williams (Taniya) of Greenville, NC, Deneen Williams (Fiance, Chris Little)of Aurora, NC, Tyshell Smith of Raleigh, Julie Billups-Rattler (Melvin) of Aurora, NC; grandchildren, Xavier, Kaliah, Janae, Indiah, Elliott, Chyna, Londyn, Paris, and Owen; three sisters, Ovella Bilal of Winterville, NC, Georgie Hines Pearson of Winterville, and Terri Hines-Horton (Joseph) of Winterville, NC; mother-in-law, Lillian Bell of Edward, NC; two sisters-in-law, Lenette Chapman (Irvin) of Winterville, NC, Val Thomas of Brooklyn, NY; two brothers-in-law, Jerome Smith of Greenville, NC, Bruce Marshall of Bear, DE; uncles, Dr. Leo Edwards, Jr. (Cathy) and Alexander Edwards; aunts, Maggie Blango, Pearl Minor, and Margaret Bryant (Andrew); plus 4 godchildren, Diamond, Cedric, Jr.,Charisma, and Ivee-shae; best friends, Catherine Revels of Aurora, NC and Linda Hopkins of Washington, NC; her many nieces, and nephews. All of these she loved and touched deeply.