Mrs. Josie Marie (Foushee) Smith

A Time to be Born….

Josie Marie Foushee Smith was the third daughter of the late Deacon Marion and Mozella Fearrington Foushee and the fifth of six children.  She was born in Orange County, North Carolina.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a friend.

A Time to be Educated…

Three institutions were very dear to her: The Home, The Church, and The School. Josie Marie was educated in the Orange County and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She was also home schooled by her mother who was a former public school teacher and a graduate of Bennett College, Greensboro, NC. Josie received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC and a Master of Science in Reading and Supervision from NC A&T State University. She was employed by the Randolph County and Orange Schools where she worked as a Teacher, Supervisor and Director of the North Carolina Compensatory Education Reading and Math Programs. She retired after 32years of service. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and an active member of its local association as well as the alumni association of FSU.

A Time to Serve…

She was a lifetime member of Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she served in many capacities: Sunday School teacher and Acting Superintendent, Usher, Choir member, Christian Education Director, Camp Advisor, Church Clerk, Cemetery Committee and Church Treasurer.  She was always willing to help in any capacity for the interest of the church and the community.

A Time to enjoy Life…

Josie Marie, lovingly called by close friends and students “Ms. Marie” loved life and interacting with people of all ages. She loved to travel. She traveled to most of the 50 states and many foreign countries during her adult life. She also loved to garden and prepare meals for her family as well as make homemade jams, jellies and dried fruits enjoyed by family and friends. She was always willing to share with family and friends fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs and eggs. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed volunteering at UNC Hospital and in area schools. She was a member of the retired bowling league and the Silver Sneakers exercise classes where she led a very active life.

A Time to Love….

Josie Marie Foushee was married to William Edward Smith on June 19, 1971. To that union was born two children: Tiffany Dawn Smith Bennett and Vincent Royster Smith. Vincent preceded   her in death. She loved her family and shared many family cookouts and dinners yearly.

A Time to Celebrate Her Homegoing….

Josie Marie leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 50years, William Edward Smith, a daughter Tiffany Smith Bennett,Son in law, Andre L. Bennett, Granddaughter, Taylor Marie Bennett and Grandson, Grant Bennett. She also leaves two sisters Betty F. Webb, Chapel Hill, NC and Hazel F. Sanders, Smithfield, NC, two brothers, Raymond G. Foushee, Piscataway, NJ, and Joseph M. Foushee, Chapel Hill, NC, one uncle, Garland Foushee, four brothers in law,  five sisters in law, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you please consider making a donation to Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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