July 1, 1937 – September 28, 2019
KILL DEVIL HILLS — Arnette Stinson Smith was born in Richmond, VA on July 1, 1937. She went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at Peak Resources in the Outer Banks.
While in grade school, she enjoyed being in the girl scouts. Arnette attended John Marshall High School in Richmond, VA graduating with the class of 1955. She furthered her education at Madison College earning her bachelor’s degree in 1959 and later her master’s degree from Florida State University. She enjoyed a career as a librarian in Virginia’s public schools and loved being a member of Colington United Methodist Church.
Traveling and eating out with friends and family were some of her favorite pastimes. When she moved to Kill Devil Hills, she opened her gift shop, King Smith Galleries. Afterwards she joined the family business, Seaside Art Gallery. She also enjoyed acting in the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater that she started with her husband.
She was the daughter of the late Helen Hart Stinson and Ernest Stinson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Wardell Smith; and son, Ward Smith.
Arnette is survived by a daughter, Melanie Smith (Jeffrey Greene) of Kill Devil Hills, NC; two grandchildren, Chester Wardell Smith III and Matea Ward Smith; sister, Carol Childress (Lester) of New Canton, VA; brother, Ernest Stinson, Jr. (Claire) of Glen Allen, VA; two nieces, Page and Leslie and two nephews, John and David.
Her spirit of generosity and example of determination has enriched the lives of those who knew her. She will be missed.
A funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo, NC officiated by Rev. Teresa Holloway. Entombment will follow at Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens with a reception to be held at Colington United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends and relatives Monday evening from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Colington United Methodist Church (PO Box 3425, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 or online at colingtonumc.com), Smile Train (PO Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090 or online at smiletrain.org), or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org).
Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
