Obituary: Stella Smith Willoughby
Stella Smith Willoughby, 94, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. A visitation will be Friday, August 18th at 1 pm followed by a homegoing service at 2 pm at the Capital Church in Garner. A graveside service will be conducted Saturday, August 19th at 11am in Pinewood Memorial Park, Greenville. She will be available for viewing at Edwards Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4 pm.
Stella was born on April 16, 1929, in Pitt County to Claudie and Mattie Smith. She grew up in the Shelmerdine community and attended Chicod High School, graduating Valedictorian of her senior class. On June 14, 1947, she married Royce Willoughby, and they made their home in Greenville. She was a former member of Greenville First Pentecostal Holiness Church.
In 1966, she and her family moved to Kinston where she began working as a seamstress with Edward Brothers and later Brody’s. She was an active member of Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she taught adult Sunday school and served in various ministries.
After the death of her husband in 2012, Stella moved to Garner to be near her family. There, she became a faithful member of the Capital Church, where she taught Sunday School and supported various other ministries.
In addition to her parents and husband, Stella was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Justin Willoughby; and siblings, Josephine Smith, Virginia Moore, Joyce Boyd, and Carlton Holland.
She is survived by her sons, R.L. Willoughby, Jr. (Jenni) of Newport and David Willoughby (Kay) of Holden Beach; daughter, Mary W. Coleman (Jerry) of Raleigh; grandchildren, Michael Willoughby (Monica), Kevin Willoughby, Michelle W. Naylor, Joseph Willoughby, Matthew Coleman (Stephanie), Darren Coleman (Cara), Sydney Hudson (Dallas), and Jacob Coleman (Avery); great-grandchildren, Sommer Johnson (Chris), Cassidy Cowley (Luke), Anthony and David Wayne Naylor, Wesley, Caleb, Chase, Emma, and Oliver Coleman, Baylor Hudson; great-great grandchild, Leo Cowley; sisters, Katy S. Oakley of Stanley, and Ruby Burrow (Donald) of Raeford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations, Kinston. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
