December 22, 2023, 85, Mount Olive —

Clara Linda Alphin Smith passed away in the early morning hours of December 22, 2023, at home surrounded by family.

Linda was born on December 5, 1938, at Summerlin’s Crossroads, near Mount Olive, North Carolina to Fred and Clara Dail Alphin. She graduated from James Kenan High School and attended Campbell University and East Carolina University earning her degree in education.

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Smith Todd of Clayton, NC, and Katrina Smith Muirhead of Clayton, NC; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Todd Driver (Eric) of Clayton, NC, Kara Todd Bass (Collins) of Clayton, NC, Rockford Faison Reck of Raleigh, NC, and Kristin Klaire Estes of Wake Forest, NC; her great-grandsons, Waylon Vann Driver and Clint Brooks Driver; her bonus grandchildren, Jenifer Reck Sawyer, Samantha Reck, Garrett Estes, and Hunter Estes; her beloved sisters-in-law, Barbara Alphin, Mary Alphin, Eva Alphin, Glenn Alphin, and Linda Carole Alphin; the families of her bonus sisters, Norma Rae Summerlin, Viola Winstead, and Sallie Ruth Greenwood; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her bonus sisters, Norma Rae Summerlin, Viola Winstead, and Sallie Ruth Greenwood, and siblings, Reevis Alphin, Donnell “Don” Alphin, Peggy Swinson, Oliver Wendell “Al” Alphin, Fred Alphin, Jr., and William Jackson “Jack” Alphin.  She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Alphin Smith Estes.

Linda started her educational career in New Bern, NC.  After marrying Faison Delano Smith of Albertson, NC in 1962, they moved to Raleigh, NC where she continued her teaching career, including teaching kindergarten at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Linda left the teaching career to become a stay-at-home mom for many years, devoting herself to her daughters and her husband.  Later in life, she returned to her teaching career at AB Combs in Raleigh, NC and after a move to Clayton, NC, she taught at RiverDell Elementary from where she eventually retired.

Linda was a life-long educator of children, instilling the importance of reading and education in her children and grandchildren.  She was a natural educator and had a passion for teaching children to read.  She was so loved that numerous fellow educators requested that she teach their children.

Linda also excelled in ceramics, with many recipients of her many special pieces crafted with love.  She never met a craft she didn’t like – baby shower diaper cakes, stenciled pillowcases, Christmas sweatshirts, and a period of time when she excelled at decorating cakes.

Linda was a giving person and loved to bring joy to others – through cooking, crafting, teaching, or ceramics.  And she never met a themed party she did not like – annual snowman parties with her fellow educators, Survivor gatherings with family at the beach.  She loved Topsail Island and gathering with family there.  Her cooking specialties included her old-fashioned seven-layer chocolate cake, the best banana pudding, and her Mother’s infamous chicken pastry as requested at every annual family Christmas gathering.

Linda loved her family and extended family.  Her brothers looked out for her always and they held a special place in her heart and in her daughters’ hearts.  After her father passed away, her brothers stepped up to the father role and looked out for her all her life.  Her final years were full of confusion from dementia but her daughters have peace knowing that God held her on earth until all her brothers were in heaven preparing for her arrival.

Even in her final years with dementia, Linda still came through with humor, smiles, and laughs.  Her daughters are thankful they had her final months at home as they were filled with smiles and sunshine as she knew she was back home with family.  The family is eternally grateful to Transitions LifeCare Hospice for the kindness and love given to Linda and her family.

Linda was the sweetest mother and took all her daughters’ friends in as if they were her own.  She will be missed by so many whose lives she touched.

There will be a viewing and visitation at Rooty Branch Free Will Baptist Church at Summerlin’s Crossroads, North Carolina at noon on Wednesday, December 27, followed by a service at 1:15 p.m., then followed by the committal at the Alphin Family Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to any of the following: