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WINDSOR, NC – Shirley Jean Ward Bracy Smith, age 86, of the Askewville Township passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC.

A native of Bertie County, Shirley was born on October 25, 1934 to Rufus Ward and Pattie Dunning Ward in Lewiston, NC. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Shirley enjoyed reading and loved to cook for her family. Some of her grandchildren’s fondest memories are going over to her house and having sleepovers.

She was one of the first members of Creech Memorial Baptist Church, serving in many capacities over the years and loved her church dearly. Shirley was a bookkeeper by trade and was with Ahoskie Fertilizer in Ahoskie for 25 years and then at Early and Winborne in Harrellsville where she worked until a couple years ago.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Eric “Buck” Bracy; her son, Luther Wayne Bracy; and siblings, Edith Tillery, Dot Willoughby, Nell Beard, Millard Ward, and Oliver Ward, and a special niece, Amanda Cleave.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Otis “Bud” Smith of the home; daughter, Deborah Bracy Darden and husband Willie of Murfreesboro; granddaughter, Nikki Darden Bennett of Roanoke Rapids; four grandsons, Timothy Eric Darden of Murfreesboro, Cody James Bracy and wife Kristen of Newport Richey, FL, Eric Bracy of Newport Richey, FL, and David Wayne Bracy and wife Shannon of Nags Head, NC; daughter-in-law, Dianne Bracy of Newport Richey, FL; three great-granddaughters, Haley Darden of Murfreesboro, Shylynn Bracy of Nags Head, and Evelyn Bracy of Newport Richey, FL; three great-grandsons, Brantley Wayne Bennett of Roanoke Rapids, David Wayne Bracy, Jr. of Nags Head, NC, and Dylan Bracy of Nags Head, NC; two step-sons, Neal Smith and wife Leisha, and Ricky Smith; step-grandchildren, Brittany Smith, Chrystal Etheridge, Terri-Lynn and Nelson Smith; and step-great-grandchildren, Rylah, Aniyah, and Arabella Etheridge, and Bryson Rawls; four nephews, Bobby Beard and wife Debra of Ahoskie, and Jimmy Ward and wife Tricia of Chesapeake, VA, John Earl Conwell and wife Anna, and James Oliver Bryant and wife Leah; and two nieces, Sandra Williams and husband Kent of Powellsville, and Pat Cooke of Ahoskie; along with many friends.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 11:00 am at Creech Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. David Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in Ahoskie Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Creech Memorial Baptist Church, 501 Lloyd St, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com, search fund, type, Shirley Smith.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Smith family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.