Mrs. Emma Felton Smith, 96, of Halifax died peacefully Sunday, October 24, 2010 at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

A native of Perquimans County, Mrs. Smith led a life of service, beginning with a Home Economics teaching career in Tyrell County, followed by a stint with the Farmers’ Home Administration as a Home Economist. She worked tirelessly with families at Scuppernong Farms on Lake Phelps in eastern North Carolina during the post-war years, often via horseback, passing on skills that helped bring food, clothing and shelter to citizens of the area.

In the late 1940s, she transferred to Halifax County to work with the FHA as a Home Economist with Roanoke Farms and the county FHA program. After the birth of her children, she taught briefly at Aurelian Springs High School, after which she was invited to join the Agricultural Extension Service as a Home Economics Agent. Her major responsibilities were in the area of Food and Nutrition, Family Resource Management, and Creative Crafts. She served as the coordinator of the Extension Homemakers’ Association and had many responsibilities with the Coastal Plains Development Association. She retired in 1979, after which she helped her son with the operation of Smith’s Texaco in Halifax.

Always actively involved with any type of youth or adult organization such as 4-H, church or scouts, community members learned that they could count on her for her creativity, compassion, and non-judgmental attitude. After retirement, Mrs. Smith became active with the Coastal Plains Arts and Crafts organization where she spent countless hours with her jams, jellies and pickles. A favorite pickle request was her watermelon rind, while basketry, corn-shuck dolls, and candles were other specialties.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Historical Association, professional organizations in the Agricultural Extension Service, American Home Economics Association, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Halifax United Methodist Women, the American Legion Auxiliary, and an active participant in Halifax United Methodist Church for over 60 years.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Ferguson “Doc” Smith, in 1976. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Presley (Ted) of Monroe, North Carolina, and her son, Leslie Smith (Angie) of Halifax; four grandchildren, Jennifer Mayle and her husband, Eric, Alycia Mayle and her husband, Elliott, Jeffrey Smith, and Patrick Smith; and one great-grandson, Tyler Mayle.

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday. Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Halifax United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Formo officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Halifax United Methodist Church.