Jean McLawhon Smith, 79, a resident of Vanceboro, died Wednesday, March 7, 2012.

A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel in Vanceboro by the Rev. Steve Ipock. Burial will follow in Celestial Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Jean, a lifelong resident of the Vanceboro community, earned a bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Christian College, and a master’s degree from East Carolina University. She taught school for 32 years within the Craven County School System, and was also a lifelong member of the former Lane’s Chapel Methodist Church. An avid reader, she loved music and enjoyed playing the piano, and was a devoted mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake Smith.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Jaye Smith and husband, Whit, of West Columbia; and granddaughters, Kasey Smith Hearne and husband, Mitch, and Whitney Caroline Smith, all of Aiken.

The family will receive friends Sunday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Vanceboro Public Library, 7931 Main St., PO Box 38, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.