Mildred Elizabeth Smith Willoughby: Tabor City

1924 – 2020

     Mildred Elizabeth Smith Willoughby of Tabor City died Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Summit Place of North Myrtle Beach. She was 96.

     Born Jan. 15, 1924 in Seward, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Robert Hunter Smith and Blanche Myrtle McCartin Smith.

     She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Clarence Colon Willoughby of Tabor City; one son, Colon Willoughby and wife Tricia of Raleigh; two daughters, Beth Willoughby Reilly and husband Dan of Lake Wylie, and Mary Willoughby and husband Chris Gruchawka of Sunset Beach; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth W. Harrell and husband Cliff of Raleigh, Mary Graham Willoughby and husband Joe Morahan of Raleigh, Anne Grove Crutchfield and husband Rich of Greensboro, Sarah Grove Myers and husband Matt of Columbia, William Grove and wife Katie of Greenville, South Carolina, Kate Gruchawka Taylor and husband Miles of Washington, D.C., Caroline Gruchawka of Jersey City, New Jersey and Sam Gruchawka of Chapel Hill; ten great grandchildren, Wes, Lucy, Birdie, Millie, Iney, Mary Mac, Mac, Libby, William and Maggie.

     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Harvey Smith and four sisters, Mary Schelling, Myrtle Koop, Margaret Brocker and Dorothy Smith.

     Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in Tabor City Baptist Church. Burial service was to be private.

     Visitation was planned for the hour preceding the service in the church.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tabor City Baptist Church, P.O. Box 126, Tabor City, NC 28463.

     A guest register is available here.