Laura Mae Smith Hartsell

Laura Mae Smith Hartsell, 99, of Concord, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Taylor Glen.

Laura was born September 20, 1925 in Stanly County, North Carolina to the late Clyde Baxter Smith and the late Etta Beatrice Little Smith. 

She was also preceded in death by husband, James "Robert" Hartsell; sisters, Mildred L. Whitley and Owonna J. Clayton; and brother, Clyde E. Smith.

Survivors include son, Robert L. Hartsell (Carolyn) of Locust, NC; granddaughter, Amanda Gregory (Richard) of Locust, NC; great-grandchildren, Aaron Lowder (Britney) of Oakboro, NC and James Lowder (Jennifer) of Fort Leonard Wood, MO; great-great-grandchildren, Cash, Dacey, Logan, Miles, Kaylee, and Josh; sisters, Carolyn L. Kimrey (Luther "Drag" Kimrey) of Lumberton, NC and Sharon L. Caudle (Carl Ray Caudle) of Flat Rock, NC; and sister-in-law, Shigoko Smith of Endy, NC.

Laura graduated Oakboro High School in 1942. She then went on to graduate from Morgan Business School in Charlotte. During her career, Laura worked for First National Bank, First Union, and retired as manager of First Citizen's Bank. She attended and taught Sunday School at Bethel Baptist Church for 43 years. Laura and her husband, Robert were founding members of West Stanly Baptist Church. She was treasurer of the AARP and secretary and treasurer for the ECA for several years. Laura also went on several mission trips, including to St. Lucia and the NC mountains and she was an avid gardener.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 4, 2025 at West Stanly Baptist Church, 24172 NC-24 27 Hwy, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Memorials may be made to The Gideons International  (https://www.gideons.org/donate).

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Hartsell family.