May 22, 2026, 90, LaGrange – Jerri Smith Dail, 90, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026 while being cared for at Northchase Rehabilitation and Nursing in Wilmington. Jerri was born in Lenoir County to the late Glenn “Smitty” Smith and Mavis Woodard Smith on August 7, 1935.
Employed with E.I. Dupont and later with Belk, Jerri spent her last twenty years of work owning an in-home daycare where she offered her love, care, and support to countless children and their families.
A two-time cancer survivor, Jerri was both determined and stubborn. Feisty and independent, she was an excellent mother to her four children, raising them well in a single-parent home. When grandchildren came along, she became a second mother to them and provided the same nurture and support she had offered to her own children.
From her first trip to the mountains, Jerri fell in love with the beauty of God’s creation. Of all the places she visited or heard about, there was nothing more impressive than the mountains and she often dreamed of relocating there.
Possessing a great love for animals, Jerri’s home was shared with many dogs throughout the years. In earlier years, she had German shepherds, and later years her life was complete with the addition of her Pomeranians, shih-tzus, and her Yorkie. Jerri was grateful to her dear friends, Anna Harper and Caroline Byrd for their care of her dogs when she was no longer able to care for them herself.
A celebration of Jerri’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Rouse Funeral Home.
Jerri is survived by her children, James Dail, Jeffrey Dail, Jolanda Lanier, and Lisa King and husband Eddie; grandchildren, Justin Dail, Melissa Luke, Jordan Dail, Cailin Dail, Elizabeth Dail, Jeffrey Dail, Jessica Gillen, and Victoria Rogers; great-grandchildren, Ciera Luke, Neri Luke, Shiloh Luke, Naomi Luke, Bella Baron, Lyla Mooney, Brennan Mooney, Katie Kentrolis, and Kage Gillen; great-great-grandchild, Elli Baron; and a brother, Glenn Smith Jr.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Jerri’s memory to your local SPCA.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
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