March 22, 2025, 90, Hood Swamp —

Janice Mae Pate Smith, 90, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Greene County on November 13, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John Richard and Edith Mae Phelps Pate.

In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her son, Jesse Adam Smith, who passed earlier in the day before Janice.

Janice is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dan Smith; daughter, Dawn Kegerreis and husband, Mike; grandchildren, Lilly Smith, Brody Smith (their mother, Layne McNeill Smith), Caitlin Osman (David Webber), Matthew Kegerreis, and Chris Kegerreis (Sarah Hanson-Kegerreis); great-grandchildren, Emma, Daniel, Evan, and Peter; sisters-in-law, Dora Snow (Charles), Sandra Roberts (James), Wanda Smith, Francis Smith, and Dean Smith (Jarvis). She is also survived by fourteen nieces and nephews and special friends, Shirley Graham and Crystal Hill.

A service to celebrate Janice and Jesse’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Hood Swamp Friends Meeting with Rev. Dr. Cheryl Benson and Pastor Otto Griffin, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at the Smith Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed Hood Swamp Friends, 710 Hood Swamp Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or to 3HC, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

Arrangements for Janice have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Goldsboro and arrangements for Jesse have been entrusted to Andrews Mortuary – Market Street Chapel in Wilmington.