Mrs. Elva B. Smith

Published 5:56 pm Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Mrs. Elva B. Smith
Feb. 2, 1928 – Dec. 21, 2015 

Mrs. Elva Vaughn Bunch Smith, age 87, a resident of Bath, died Monday, December 21, 2015 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

Celebration of life services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church and will be conducted by Merritt Watson and Mrs. Smith’s nephew, Rodney Bunch. Her sons-in-law, grandsons and special friend Ivory “Big Jack” Windley will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Mrs. Smith was born in Chowan County on February 2, 1928 to the late Rufus and Peanie Bell Dail Bunch. She married Donald Silverthorne who preceded her in death and later married Cecil O. Smith Sr. who also preceded her death. She was a graduate of John A. Wilkinson High School. She performed on a singing program on radio station WRRF, and was employed with Home Furniture Store and Agape Christian Bookstore. Mrs. Smith was a member of First Christian Church for over 60 years, serving as an Elder, Sunday School teacher, pianist for the Men’s Bible class and Trinity class, Director of the Youth Choir, sang in the chancel choir and in a trio with Callaree Horton and Mae Alligood. She played the piano for the Merry Music Makers at the Saturday Night Jamboree, River Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Ridgewood Manor Nursing Center and sang at many weddings and funerals.

Survivors include three daughters, Nancy S. Hill and husband Billy of Bath, Kathy S. Mann of Birmingham, AL, and Patty S. Selby and husband Wallace of Bath; four grandchildren, Josh Swindell and wife Erin of Raleigh, Amanda S. Powell and husband Ken of Garner, Jamye M. Mann of Birmingham, AL, and Daniel Woolard and wife Jessica of Bath; seven great-grandchildren, Crafton, Reid and Poppy Swindell, Max and Luke Powell, Wyatt and Natalie Woolard; two step-great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Sean; two loving sisters-in-law, Dottie W. Bunch of Washington, Dottie L. Bunch Harper of Pinehurst and her much loved nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Rufus Eldred Bunch, Murphy M. Bunch, Velton V. Bunch, Douglas D. Bunch, Donald P. Bunch and one sister, Ona Mae Brooks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 401 E. 2nd St., Washington, NC 27889.

You may address condolences to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Smith family.