Obituary: Gaille Rouse Smith

Gaille Rouse Smith, age 85 of Kinston, departed this life on December 28, 2025.

A service will be held at Edwards Funeral Home in Kinston, NC, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2PM, with interment at Westview Cemetery immediately after.

Born in Kinston and raised in Raleigh, Gaille married her life-long love, Frank Houston Smith, Jr. in 1961. Gaille graduated from Needham Broughton High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from East Carolina University. After college Gaille and Houston relocated to Wappingers Falls, New York and then Austin, Texas before returning to Kinston upon Houston’s retirement.

Gaille was preceded in death by her husband, Houston; her parents Carrie Nunn and Randall Rex Rouse, Sr.; her brother, Randall Rex Rouse, Jr.; and her sister Barbara Anne Clarke.

She is survived by her son James Edward Smith and daughter-in-law Susan Lee Miller; her daughter Kimberly Dee Smith; her grandchildren Brittany Smith, Travis Smith and Tyler Smith; her sister Carrie Witter; as well as numerous sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.1924 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604.

Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be made a www.edwardsfhc.com.