April 10, 2026, 88, Mount Olive – Mrs. Edna Smith Arnette, at the age of 88, passed from this life to be with her Lord and Saviour. Death came in the early morning hours on Friday, April 10, 2026, at her home with her loved ones gathered close by.
Mrs. Arnette, a native of the Jonestown area near Pink Hill, had been a resident of the Mount Olive area for many years. Her years of working away from the home included farm work and also assisting Mrs. Tempie Best at her upholstery shop which she enjoyed for many years. While poor health had prevented her in recent years from attendance, she remained a member of Bear Marsh Missionary Baptist Church, where she had worshipped and served when she could.
Mrs. Arnette leaves behind her four children, Joey Arnette and wife, Judy, Teresa A. Lee, Alice Arnette, and Connie Arnette, all of the Mount Olive area; three sisters, Ruthie Jarman of Jacksonville, Hazel King and Carolyn King, both of Kinston; four grandchildren, Jennifer Holmes, Willliam Joseph Arnette, Jr., Dean Holmes and wife, Sara, and Britany Coats and husband, Jeffrey; great-grandchildren, Skyer Davidson, Nick Davidson, Noah Arnette, Kylie Holmes, Chandler Arnette, Eric Coats, Lily Coats, Cameron Holmes, and Cayden Holmes; a great-great-granddaughter, Haisley Melrose, whose arrival allowed Mrs. Arnette to peer into the fifth generation of her on-going family lineage. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
In death, she now joins her husband, Joe William Arnette; a great-granddaughter, Kelsey Davidson; a son-in-law, Terry Lee; her parents, Ralph E. and Estelle Taylor Smith; two brothers, Elwood Smith and Robert Smith; two sisters, Evelyn Lane and Joyce Ann Miller; and several infant siblings.
Mrs. Arnette’s family will remember her at a graveside service at the Pate Cemetery. Services are private.
