July 7, 2026, 86, Goldsboro – Frances Sue Smith Adams, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at The Indigo at Pikeville. Born in Greene County on September 22, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Ira Dyke Smith and Annie Belle Smith.
In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Benjamin (Bill) Adams; sister, Leatrice Creech; and brother-in-law, McGee Creech.
Sue was a graduate of Snow Hill High School. After marriage, she worked outside the home as a bookkeeper and secretary at several locations including John T. Bell Construction Company and Helena Chemical Company. She was a longtime member of Bethel Fellowship Church where she was active in the United Methodist Women and was the recipient of the 2003 Bethel United Methodist Woman of the Year award. She actively supported the church in many ways including participating in fundraising and outreach ministries.
Sue and her husband Bill raised three daughters in a loving and supportive home. Together they encouraged their daughters to pursue new opportunities and develop their talents through piano lessons, extracurricular activities, and higher education. Her greatest joy was being ‘Mana’ to her grandsons and great-granddaughters. She supported her grandsons by attending many school, sporting, and scouting events. Even as her health declined, she enjoyed visits with her great-granddaughters during which she laughed and played joyfully with them.
Throughout her life, she was extremely close to her sisters and extended family. Sue enjoyed many happy hours sitting around the family table with them talking, laughing, and sharing life’s precious moments. Sue was well known for her extraordinary cooking and baking skills. In addition, she had a special way of knowing when someone needed a little extra care. She supported others with visits, heartfelt cards, and homemade treats which brought comfort and encouragement to many.
Sue is survived by her daughters, Tammy Munoz (David), Tracy Little (Gary Hall), and Tonya Adams; grandsons, Ryne Herring (Jessica) and Ben Munoz (Amanda Thompson); great-grandchildren, Addison Herring, Avery Herring, Mera Munoz, and Madeleine Munoz; sisters, Faye Best (J.D.) and Sandra Shirley (Ray); and many special nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Seymour Funeral Home, followed by a service to celebrate Sue’s life at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel. Private interment will be at the Smith Family Cemetery after the service.
The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Indigo at Pikeville and Gentiva Hospice for the love and care provided to Sue. In addition, the family extends special thanks to Lovie McKeel, Rachel Talton, Mary Toler, Bunnie Wooten, and Sandra Wooten for their loving care of Sue while she lived at home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Gentiva Foundation online at www.gentivahs.com or mail to 3350 Riverwood Parkway SE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30339-3314; Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter online at www.alz.org or by mail to Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209; or The Indigo at Pikeville, Attn: Executive Director, 5383 US Hwy 117 N, Pikeville, NC 27863 (Include note on memo line that memorial gift in honor of Sue Adams is intended for use by The Indigo at Pikeville).
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