Peggy Ann Vandegriff Smith, age 98, passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Cranberry House in Newland.  Born February 12, 1927, in Fulton County, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late John Calhoun and Sarah Louella Dyson Vandegriff and the wife of the late Frank Morton Smith.

She is survived by 4 daughters, Kathy Plumb of Great Falls, Montana; Nina Wolfe and husband Bobby of Tryon, NC; Penny Menning and husband Brian of Hamilton, Montana; Amy Walker and husband Tom of Maple Hill, Kansas; 4 sons, Robbie Smith and wife Pattie of Melbourne Beach, Florida; Mark Smith of Newland, NC; Steve Smith and wife Angela of Lenoir, NC; Tim Smith and wife Pam of Banner Elk, NC; 1 brother, John C. Vandegriff , Jr. and wife Ruthie, of Newfoundland, PA; 34 Grandchildren, 96 Great-Grandchildren and 10 Great-Great-Grandchildren.

Moving to New York as a 14-year-old because of her father's business would prove to be the beginning of a love story that would bring on the large Family.  She was sent to find her brother and passed through a tennis court at St. John's University in Brooklyn, NY.  She saw this young tennis star whom she had heard about and decided to talk to him.  This would be the "most important memory of her life."  She didn't tell Frank her age until they fell in love.  They married in 1944 when she was 17.

She was raised a Baptist and her brother John is a Baptist Minister.  At the age of 30, she converted to Catholicism.  She credited her husband for her conversion, as he was very educated in the Catholic faith. She was a lector for St. Elizabeth Catholic Church for many years and a long-time member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church when she passed.

Peggy taught music for 3 years in between having children at their school, St. Pius X. The picture of her is from when she was a model in the NY area until she married.

In 1978, her son, Mark, suffered a severe motorcycle accident leaving him in a coma for six months.  Mrs. Smith dedicated the next 30 years caring for her son.

Peggy was always so happy, and positive.  Other than appendicitis, she has lived a very healthy life.  She was well loved by everyone she came in contact with.

A Funeral Mass will be conducted 10:30 AM Saturday, July 26, 2025, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church with Father Reverend Christopher A. Bond officiating with a rosary being said at 10:00AM.  The family will extend greetings following the mass at St. Bernadette Parrish Hall.  Burial will take place Saturday afternoon in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be made to St. Bernadette Catholic Church, PO Box 1252, Linville, NC 28646 or to The Hope Center, 208 Howard Street, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Smith Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of the arrangements.