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Rita Smith Smithson, of Elizabeth City, died June 4, 2020 after battling dementia for over two years.

She was born on June 2, 1932 to the late Lee Smith and Mary Lee Combs Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brother Carroll Lee Smith Sr., grandparents, Weldon Thomas Smith and Lucinda Brothers Smith, James Clinton Combs and Annie Trueblood Combs and step-grandmother Maggie Umphlett Smith Morris.

She is survived by son Andrew F. Smithson of Durham and Elizabeth City; daughters   Deborah S. Manning and husband Rick, Denise S. T. Rothrock and husband Ken, all of Elizabeth City, and Donna S. Egan and husband Robert, formerly of Colington Harbour, now Lansing; grandson Lt. Col. John L. Trueblood and wife Dr. Rebecca Rajfer-Trueblood, and their children and granddaughter Meredith M. Umphlett and husband Craig and their children.

A service was held June 8 at Twiford Memorial Chapel officiated by the Rev. Delores Langley. Flowers are accepted or memorial donations may be made to Riverside United Methodist Church, 1400 Edgewood Dr., Elizabeth City, NC  27909, the Area Agency on Aging-Albemarle Commission, 512 S. Church St., Hertford, NC 27944, or Albemarle Hopeline. Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to www.TwifordFH.com.

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