March 27, 2026, 78, Goldsboro – Elfriede “Frida” Erna Smiling (née Heinath), 78, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 at UNC REX Hospital.
From Kaiserslautern, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Emil Heinath and Hedwig Heinath. She was preceded in death by seven brothers, Ernst, Fritz, Gustav, Horst, Paul, Gerhardt, and Ewald; one sister, Ellie; and three grandchildren, Christina, Chelsea, and Daniel.
She is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Jerry Smiling; her son, Richard “Richie” Deaver; her daughters, Christina “Tina” (Gerry Jr.) Phelps and Michelle Fulk; two granddaughters, Treasure Linton and Cassie (Kanin) Preskitt; three grandsons, Gerry Phelps III, Matthew Phelps, and Thomas Phelps; and a great-grandson, Ryker Phelps. She is also survived by a sister, Erika Olscha.
Frida was known for her love of gardening, home remodeling, and sewing. She moved to the United States in the 1960s and learned English by watching soap operas. Every year for Christmas, she made chicken and pastry, insisting on handmade pastries, which became a family tradition.
No formal services will be held at this time.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to be serving the Smiling Family.
