Audrey Kennedy Smith

It is with a deep sadness that we inform the greater Hickory community of the passing of widow, mother and dear friend to anyone who would make her acquaintance, Audrey Kennedy Smith. Audrey, a native of Rocky Mount, NC, but with longstanding family roots in Beaufort, SC, had been struggling with her health since September of 2018, became fully bedridden two years later, and took a turn for the worse in late October of this year, where she was hospitalized with pneumonia and where it was found she had a cancer mass in her right lung. Since arriving home on October 28, 2024, pneumonia-free, the cancer became progressively worse. Audrey was 87 years-old.

Her most recent wish was to see both another Thanksgiving and another Christmas, which she did. Up until her last week on Earth when she lost her abilities to function normally, Audrey was her radiant and wonderful self – inquisitive, engaged, funny, and concerned with the feelings and well-being of others.

Born in 1937 to Aubrey Kennedy and Mozelle (Kitchings) Kennedy, who preceded her in death, Audrey grew up in Rocky Mount, NC, and was a 1955 graduate of Rocky Mount High School. Her childhood was shared with her beloved brother Hugh Houston, who preceded her in death when she was just nineteen. The maternal side of Audrey’s family has an extensive history in Beaufort, SC, and she was very involved with that extended family, which consisted of one uncle and three aunts, all of whom have passed. Audrey was particularly fond of one aunt – Sallie Mae Hollins – who served as her surrogate mother, after her own mother departed the Earth when Audrey was a teenager.

Audrey was adored by her parents, her brother, and her late husband, Dr. K. Wayne Smith, who was CEO Emeritus at OCLC (Online Computer Library Center, based in Columbus, Ohio) as well as a Life Trustee and former chairman of the board of Wake Forest University – serving in the chairman’s role in 2006-2007.

Audrey was also held in the greatest esteem and loved as only a son can love a mother, by her only child – Stuart Wayne Smith. The special relationship they had until her dying breath was forged over 58 years, beginning after Audrey gave birth to Stuart in West Point Army Hospital at the United States Military Academy, where her husband Wayne was a professor from 1963-1967.

The greatest gift Audrey gave to anyone within her circle was the gift of unbridled joy and the gift of everlasting hope – in equal measures. She always focused on silver linings, rather than dark clouds. Audrey knew instinctively what Ernest Hemingway teaches us in his writings. Chiefly, “That the world breaks us all, but afterwards we are stronger in the broken places.”

Audrey was both a survivor of life’s unfairness and the infatigable matriarch of the Smith family. She was the wind beneath the wings of a very hard-charging and career-minded husband and she was a rock-solid, standard bearer for and Disciple of Christ – setting the example for her son and for anyone who knew the tried, tested and true Audrey.

Even after serving as the architect and workhorse for fourteen major family moves, from one coast – to another, Audrey had tireless energy and never ceased giving and providing for her family, for whom she was both heart, soul, conscience, and chief worrier.

Audrey was a superb and devoted wife to her husband Wayne for just shy of 62 years. She served as an exceptional mother for her son Stuart, and never once let him down. Professionally, she served as a fifth-grade teacher in both Winston-Salem, NC and then in Sommerville NJ, soon after graduating with a B.A. in History from Salem College in 1959. Later in life, Audrey taught second grade at Startown Elementary School. Upon her husband’s retirement in 1998, she returned to Startown and taught kindergarten.

The majority of her life was spent supporting her husband in every way and serving as a stay-at-home Mom for her son, where she was both mentor, dearest friend, and guiding light. According to her son Stuart, “Audrey was my greatest gift. She was my Mom, my friend, and my greatest love. She was my everything.”

By way of her husband, who spent his first twenty years trying to get out of Newton, and the next forty years trying to get back, Newton became Audrey’s final move and final home in 1998. It is now her final resting place and she will be interred and reunited with her husband in the “Chapel” mausoleum on the grounds of Catawba Memorial Park.

The well-wishes have poured in since Audrey’s passing on the afternoon of December 27th. They include the following –

“Audrey is an incredible person. She has made such a meaningful impact on my life. She was a wonderful lady.”

“She was such a sweet, good-natured, wonderful person. And as a mother, she had such a caring, supportive and beautiful soul.”

“Stuart was blessed with a wonderful mother. And I was blessed with a very special friend. Audrey was and is awesome.”

“Audrey was and is a special soul. We rejoice in the fact that Audrey is truly home and in the glorious presence of her Savior.”

“Audrey was a gem and a beloved friend, and I am happy that she is at rest – though she will be truly missed. I will carry great memories of her for the rest of my life.”

“Audrey was an amazing person, who radiated love and goodwill. Her memory is a continued blessing and I am grateful for her well-lived and purposeful life. I have only good memories of her friendship to my family.”

“Audrey was a very special person in my life. She was an extra mother to me. I will miss her and her love.”

“Audrey was a special person. I always admired her strength and perseverance – regardless of what life threw at her.”

“Audrey was always so joyful, positive, and encouraging. She had an indefatigable mother charisma, even to others who were not her children.”

Audrey also leaves behind her sister-in-law Anne Hoyle, brother-in-law Steve Hoyle, nephew Jim Hipp and his wife Lois, niece Kimberly Hipp, as well as innumerable friends.

Audrey is the consummate Disciple of Christ, Mom, Wake Forest Demon Deacon fan, and political junkie – in that order. The Smith family has endowed a scholarship, the Trinity Scholarship (from K. Wayne Smith and Family), that provides resources for academically-gifted, but financially resource-constrained students in the UNIFOUR counties in western NC.

There will be a private service for Audrey this Saturday, January 4th. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts or donations may be made to The Trinity Scholarship by K. Wayne Smith and Family c/o Wake Forest University, P. O. 7227, Winston Salem, NC 27109.