Vanise Lookadoo Smith, age 84, of Caroleen, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Fair Haven Home of Bostic.

Vanise was born Wednesday, April 30, 1941 in Rutherford County to the late J.A. Lookadoo and Essie Short Lookadoo. She was a graduate of Cliffside High School, class of 1959 and worked for Burlington Industries for many years. She later became a CNA and worked at Fair Haven for seventeen years before retirement. Vanise was a faithful member of Goode’s Grove Baptist Church. She was known for her fantastic cooking, collecting vintage cookware, flower gardening, listening to gospel music and was an avid Dale Earnhardt fan. Vanise was a regular QVC network viewer and loved shopping. Above all else her life’s passion was serving the Lord and getting to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years, Steve Smith; a great grandson, Noah Steven Cooper and a sister, Vera McNeely.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Sandra Smith of Rutherfordton and Suzanne Hensley (Robby) of Mooresboro; son, Scott Smith of Bostic; sister, Verleen McCraw of Boiling Springs, NC; grandchildren, Amanda Cooper (Steven), Allen Phillips, Rebekah Alexander (James), Austin Hensley (Lauren), Haley Hensley, Lou Hensley, Shane Hensley, Jordan Hensley; eight great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, February 16th at Goode’s Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Robby Hensley and Reverend Steven Cooper officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorial donations are requested to the Fair Haven Activity Fund, 149 Fairhaven Drive, Bostic, NC 28018.