Argyle Smith's Obituary
Argyle Maleta Beane Smith, 88 passed away on April 16, 2018. Formerly of Marion, N.C., the Cornelius resident was born on May 7, 1929 to Lama Wellington and Lois Maleta Beane of West Virginia. An Oceana High School graduate, Argyle was granted B.S. Degrees in Social Studies, Music, and Elementary Education from Concord College and completed Master’s Level Coursework at Frostburg State University in Maryland.
Argyle began her teaching career in a one-room school and continued to teach forty-five years in the public schools of West Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and North Carolina. She taught at elementary, junior high, high school, and college levels as a classroom, music, band, social studies, and G.E.D. teacher. For twelve years she served as an Instructor, Recruiter, and Director of the satellite evening center for the local community college in addition to teaching private piano lessons in her home. She spent her “free time” antiquing, collecting, selling jewelry, utilizing her real estate license to buy and sell homes, and serving her community as a hospital volunteer, tourism volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce, Ombudsman for Nursing and Group Home facilities for the State of North Carolina, and Sunday School/Youth Leader for her children at church. In retirement, Argyle enjoyed years of dancing, initiating and receiving “pranks” between she and her beloved neighbors, was an active traveler (visiting Australia, China, England, Scotland, etc.), enjoyed years of being a “Nan”, and was delighted to be inducted into the Oceana High School Hall of Fame.
Argyle is survived, and will be missed, by her son Rick Smith of Hickory; daughter and son-in-law, Gigi and Tony Williams of Cornelius; grandchildren, Brittany, Kelsey, Hunter, Sarah, and Brooke; brother and sister-in-law, John and Roseanna Beane of Sherrills Ford, N.C., brother-in-law, Bob Lively of Toms Brook, Va.; and very special favorite person Alecia Cates. Argyle was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Edward Earl Smith; and sisters, Duffie Blankenship, Sharon Harless, Billie Lively, and Gayle Hall.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 22, 2018 in the Chapel of James Funeral Home with Dr. Mary John Dye officiating. The family invites those who attend to join them in the Community Room of James Funeral Home immediately following the service for sharing memories and food together.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville, N.C. will be serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Argyle by supporting residents at a local care, nursing, or group home near you by taking the time to call and visit with them.
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