October 15, 2023, 97, Goldsboro —

Hazel Pender Smith, 97, died peacefully on October 15, 2023, surrounded by her family. A native of Wayne County, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mattie McKeel Pender.

Hazel retired as a secretary with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church.

A service to celebrate Hazel’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Eureka Cemetery.

Surviving are her son, Danny Smith, and wife, Kathy; daughter-in-law, Debbie Abramowitz, and husband, Michael; granddaughters, Jill Smith Linkous and husband, Jonathan, and Ginger Smith Madrigal and husband, Danny; grandson, Mark Kevin Smith; great-grandchildren, Julienna Wendt, Kayla Wendt, and Jackson Madrigal; step-grandchildren, Shane Smith and wife, Kimberly, Joshua Smith, and Tia, and Ryan Smith; step-great-grandchildren, Kirkland, Sarah Katherine, Claire, John, Luke, Jaxon and Jase; and step great-great-grandchildren, Marley and Kennedy.

In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Patrick Smith; son, Bobby Smith; sisters, Agnes Hart, Harlow Jurney, Shirley Johnson, and Grace Stelly; brothers, Lloyd Pender and Marvin Pender; grandson, Robbie Edward Smith, Jr. and great-grandson, Jimmy Joyner.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.