Mary Margaret Rives Smith

Mary Margaret Rives Smith, of Asheville and Charlotte, made her trip to heaven on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at the home of daughter and son-in-law, Rosemary and Vernon Bud Hollifield. Mrs. Smith, Margaret to friends, was born June 5, 1917 in Oakland, California to John Rives and Mabel Carwyle Rives. She moved to Asheville, North Carolina by way of Atlanta, Georgia as a young woman, and worked for Burlington Industries and The Woolworth Company. Margaret raised her three children on her own, with an abundance of love, support, guidance and encouragement. Margaret was a member of Elk Mountain Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Her great faith and love of the Word of God provided strength in times of weakness and solace in times of struggle. She was a living example of the Christian walk, and touched all who knew her with a gentle spirit and quiet wisdom. Margaret Smith was an ever-steady friend and confidante. Friendships were an important blessing to her. She embodied the notion of compassion. She defined the role of listener. She was a gracious Southern lady. She loved coffee with cream, old western movies and Andy Griffith. In recent years she grew fond of Jeff Gordon Racing and Carolina Panther Football. She confided that she had always wanted to learn tennis and golf. She was an avid player of Solitaire. Margaret is survived by her children Rosemary Hollifield, and husband Vernon Bud of Charlotte, NC,;Wade Smith, Jr. of Newton, NC; and Nancy Harwood of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, Caren Castellaneta of Charlotte, NC; Christopher Harwood and wife Carol of Fletcher, NC; Phillip Harwood of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Ashley Kramp and husband Steven of Newton, NC; great-grandchildren, Mary Castellaneta of Asheville, NC; Margaret Maggy Castellaneta of Charlotte, NC; Stephanie McGraff and husband Steven of Hendersonville, NC; Elijah Eli Kramp of Newton, NC; and great great-grandson, Trey McGraff of Hendersonville, NC. Preceeding her in death were her parents, brother John, sister Alice and son-in-law Jerry Harwood. Our angel on Earth is now Gods angel in Heaven. We celebrate her wonderful life, and were so grateful to have had the honor of her company for so long. We will miss our Nanny so much. Services to celebrate the homecoming will be held at 1:00 in the afternoon on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at Elk Mountain Baptist Chruch. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service. All flowers should arrive at the Church by 11:00 on that morning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Margaret Smith to Presbyterian Homecare Hospice, PO BOX 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233.