In Loving Memory of our Beloved Mom, Grandmother, and Wife of 34 Years
Gladys Marie Pace Smith, 72, of Columbus, NC went home to be with her Lord on Monday, May 24, 2021.
Born in Henderson County to the late Leonard Hewett and Mable Jackson Pace in 1948, Gladys was the youngest of 13 siblings. Growing up on a big farm, Gladys learned the meaning of hard work and taking care of family. She loved to share memories from her childhood and time spent gathering with family at various aunt’s and uncle’s homes and taking care of her many nieces and nephews.
She took great pleasure in her love for her family and will be remembered most by her legacy of faith, and belief in Jesus Christ, her personal Lord, and Savior. Saved at an early age and filled with the Holy Spirit at age 16, Gladys’ heart and life were a beautiful reflection of our Heavenly Father’s love towards us; and was felt by all that knew her. When welcomed in the home, you would always be met by a bounty of food and hugs. With a passion to serve her Lord, Gladys was a mighty prayer warrior and missionary spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. Through her efforts, many have found their way to Christ. James 5:16 tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman availeth much.”
A dedicated wife, and mother, Gladys is survived by her loving husband, William (Keith) Smith of 34 years, a wonderful Stepdad and “PawPaw” to her children Daniel Hewett Brackett of Asheville; Lester James Hardy Brackett with his wife Sarah of Greenville, SC; and Esther Ida-Marie Brackett Lail with her husband Ryan of Rutherfordton; and grandchildren Gabriel Lail, Makayla Lail, Grace Brackett, Lily Brackett, and Rachel Brackett. As Proverbs 31:28 reads, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Also surviving are her sisters, Doris Warren of Fletcher and Ruth Pace of Boiling Springs, NC, along with a host of other nieces and nephews who meant the world to her.
Gladys prayed for children for several years before being blessed with three natural-born children, while waiting on the fulfillment of God’s promises she was a Foster Mom and later adopted a son, William Earl Brackett along with her children’s father, Carl Hardy Brackett, both of whom preceded her in death. With her parents Leonard Hewett and Mable Jackson Pace, she is predeceased by her siblings, Ruby Lee, Venson, Morris, Curtis, Clifton Allen, Landis Leon, Vivian, Delmore, John Glenn, and Lloyd Elmer.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 28th from 6pm to 8pm in the Chapel in the Pines of Jackson Funeral Service, 1101 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 29th at 2:00pm at Upward Christian Fellowship, 991 Upward Road, Flat Rock, NC. Gladys will be laid to rest at Refuge Baptist Church Cemetery in Dana, NC.