Rebecca Smith Obituary

Rebecca “Becky” Arey Smith, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Shelby, NC on October 27, 2025. Born in Shelby, NC on June 24, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Ward Hunter Arey, Jr.  and Mildred Cline Arey Vaughn. A 1956 graduate of Shelby High School, Becky continued her education at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina (now known as UNC Greensboro).

As a resident of both Shelby and Blowing Rock, Becky was active in both communities and involved in several civic and charitable organizations. She was a charter member of the Historic Shelby Foundation, a long-term member of both the Junior Charity League of Shelby and the Blowing Rock Historical Society, and active in the Shelby Appearance Commission.

Becky was a fourth generation member of Central United Methodist Church in Shelby where she served in numerous leadership roles and was a founding member of the Saints and Sinners Sunday School Class. In Blowing Rock, she was an active member of the Blowing Rock Methodist Church where her presence inspired other family members to become active in the church.

Becky and her husband, Loyd, shared a passion for history and design. They opened “Antiques and Accents” in Uptown Shelby where they personally sourced and sold antiques from England for 11 years. Long after the shop’s doors closed, they continued collecting and selling antiques in both Shelby and Blowing Rock and they cherished the friendships built along the way. 

Family and friends played a central role in Becky’s life. She enjoyed hosting and decorating for holiday gatherings, attending her grandchildren’s sports and school events, and dancing with Loyd in the dance clubs of which they were members. With friends, she enjoyed being involved in numerous bridge clubs and the Reviewers Book Club. She cherished summers in Blowing Rock with her children and grandchildren and attending events at the Blowing Rock Country Club. 

Becky is preceded in death by both parents, her beloved husband of 66 years, Loyd Baxter Smith, Sr., and her son, Loyd Baxter “Kip” Smith, Jr. Becky is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Kim and Cecil Burton of Shelby and their children Lauren and her husband Lukas Dumberger, Manning, and Rebecca; her daughter-in-law Robin Smith of Blowing Rock and children Baxter and Wesley and her husband Hayden Roberts and their daughter Charlie Gray; her son and daughter-in-law Scott and Wendy Smith of Shelby and their son Isaac; her son Seth Smith of Shelby; her brother and sister-in-law Jack and Carole Arey of Shelby; sister-in-law Doris Smith of Burlington, NC; and many nieces and nephews.

A service celebrating Becky’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 3, 2025, in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow the service at Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the conclusion of the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, Blowing Rock Methodist Church, or the Blowing Rock Historical Society, organizations that reflected Becky and Loyd’s love for faith, fellowship, and history. The family also wishes to thank members of Hospice of Cleveland County who cared for Becky in her later years, and would also appreciate memorials to be made to VIA Health Partners (P.O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247).

Online condolences can be shared at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family.