Lee Smith Hust, 87, passed suddenly from this life on September 21^st at Riverside Healthy Living Community in Smithfield, VA, after a long and brave battle with dementia. Lee was born on January 9, 1932 to the late James Ernest and Fannie (Clark) Smith. In addition to her parents, Lee was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard and her sisters, Doris Smith Potter and Jean Smith Moss.

Lee was an active member of the Presbyterian churches in Yanceyville and Burgaw North Carolina as well as being involved in the communities where she lived. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars after World War II for many years and co-founded a Girl Scout troop in Burgaw to help girls find a healthy path to becoming young women.

Lee loved her family and was often visiting, writing or calling members of her immediate and extended family. She especially loved children and found great joy in having babies of her own. In addition, anyone who had a meal at Lee’s table or slept under her roof was automatically a candidate for adoption into her sphere of kindness, love and down-home Southern hospitality.

Lee never stopped missing Howard in all the years they were separated after his death. He was truly her other half in this life. Without him she was never whole again.

Lee is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Hust Bales and her husband, Herbert and Kathryn Hust Herrmann; grandson, John Anthony Herrmann, III; brother-in-law, William Leroy Moss (Jean); and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Inurnment will be at 2 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2019 in Sandhills Veterans Cemetery, Spring Lake, NC.

Family and friends will share memories of Lee’s life on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Hafer Hall on the campus of Monroe Camp and Retreat Center, 24501 Camp Road, Laurel Hill, NC. A light lunch will be served at 1 pm, followed immediately by a memorial service that will begin at 2 p.m.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff at The Garden and Willow Creek at Riverside Healthy Living Community, who cared for Lee with love and kindness during her final days. In her last moments, Lee was surrounded by the kind and loving staff at Willow Creek, who eased her passing.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Dementia Alliance of North Carolina (https://dementianc.org) . Dementia Alliance of NC provides wonderful support, education and resources for those caring for someone battling dementia, so the family does not have to make the journey alone.

Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted the family with arrangements.