Linda Smathers

Canton- Our hearts are saddened at the loss of Linda Jean Mason Smathers, who passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

Linda was born in the winter season of January 13, 1950 and has left us for her Heavenly home three days before her 73rd birthday. We give thanks for her wonderful life and rejoice that she is in paradise on this day.

She was a native of Haywood County, raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, and had made her home in Canton for the past 45 years. Linda was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile and she was blessed with a big personality that made everyone around her happy. Her great wit and sense of humor was most unique and no one could ever “pull one over” on Linda!  It always seemed as if she knew just the right thing to say in any situation. She was a devoted homemaker, an amazing cook, and also a loyal employee of Denny’s Restaurant for nine years and Red Lobster in Asheville for 17 years. Linda was a faithful member of Canton First United Methodist Church where she was actively involved with the United Methodist Women and deeply loved by everyone at her church.  Linda’s beloved family was the most important thing in her life and the treasured memories of gathering everyone together were times when she was most happy. These will always be cherished memories for all the Smathers clan. In the sweet words of her family, “Linda was a wonderful Wife and Mom and a loving Nana.” What more perfect words could be said- Linda would be pleased.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Mason and Carolyn Bell Mason; and also a sister, Gail Murphy.

Surviving are her loving husband of 41 years, Phil Smathers of Canton; daughter, Jennifer Griffith and Brandon of Canton; son Donnie Smathers and Kendra of Canton; daughter, Stephanie Smathers of Charleston, SC; and son, Kevin Smathers and Jency of Canton; grandchildren, Mason and Paige Griffith, Will and Kole Smathers, Alyssa and Noah Johnson, and Austin and Ava Smathers; a niece, Kim Kappler and Mike of Colorado; and a brother-in-law, Dennis Murphy of Colorado.

 All family and friends are kindly invited to attend the service of remembrance to celebrate and honor the life of Linda which will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Canton First United Methodist Church. Pastor Gordon Pike and Pastor Clay Morgan will be officiating. 

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Smathers' memory to Canton First Methodist Church, 29 Newfound Street, Canton, NC 28716.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored to be caring for the Smathers family.