April 15, 2022, 74, Goldsboro –
Lou Ann Bryan Smith, 74, entered into the presence of her Lord on Friday, April 15, 2022. Lou Ann was the daughter of James Edward and Dorothy Hood Bryan and was born in Goldsboro on August 26, 1947.
Following her graduation from the School of Art and Design at East Carolina University, Lou Ann began teaching art at Southern Wayne High School. She embarked upon a thirty-three-year career of providing hundreds of students with the gift of art, participating in numerous art shows and events throughout North Carolina. Lou Ann actively shared her artistic talents through her own paintings, drawings, sketches, and photographs that now adorn many homes and businesses. She continuously encouraged all people to “try” art and helped launch several professional artists and a plethora of burgeoning artists including her eight-year-old grandson.
Lou Ann was a vibrant member of her community and served in a variety of capacities for her church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and civic groups such as the Salvation Army, and the Arts and Humanities at Wayne Community College. She was also a gracious hostess and entertainer, skilled gardener, and intrepid traveler as evidenced by years of membership in her Garden Club, Gourmet Group, and Painting Group as well as trips near and abroad.
Of all Lou Ann’s gifts and capabilities, her unwavering faith was most outstanding. This was shown through her treatment of others including the love of her family, dedication to her friends and colleagues, and respect of all whom she encountered. Lou Ann modeled how Christ instructs us to live through her professional, personal, and social interactions, drawing others to her as a result.
A celebration of Lou Ann’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Goldsboro. Reverend Phyllis Vail will conduct the service with Reverend Jim Harry providing remarks. A visitation will be held immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall where the family will greet attendees.
Lou Ann is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Marshall Smith; daughter Meredith Smith McElmurry and husband Nathan of Wilmington; grandson Emmett Willoughby McElmurry; and sister Lynette Bryan Worrell and husband Tim of Goldsboro.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of the following organizations:
1) St. Paul United Methodist Church Maintenance Endowment Fund
2) Arts and Humanities of Wayne Community College
3) North Carolina Museum of Art
4) Sean Healey Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital (care of Dr. Merit Cudkowicz)
The family would like to thank the many generous and kind individuals who assisted Lou Ann throughout her illness through the St. Paul United Methodist Church Meal Train and “visitor train.” Additionally, sincere gratitude is extended to the special group of caregivers who were instrumental to helping Lou Ann and her family.
Services are entrusted to the care of Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
