Melanie Vivian (Rowe) Smith

Shelby, NC – Dr. Melanie Vivian Rowe Smith, 66, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Atrium Health CMC Main.

The family will receive friends 11:00 am, Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Ross Grove Baptist Church, 1225 Fallston, Rd, Shelby, NC 28150.  A memorial service will follow at Noon at the church with the Rev. Marcus McGill officiating.

A native of Augusta, GA, Dr. Smith was a daughter of the late William Arthur Rowe, Jr. and Billie Gay O’Daniel Rowe.  She loved music and enjoyed play the guitar.  She was a photographer and many of her pictures were posted on Flicker.  She was a devoted follower of Christ.  Through out her life she struggled with some physical problems and those struggles lead her to become a doctor in her forties. She had her private pilots license which allowed her to fly single engine planes.  After retirement she returned to Gardner-Webb University and was working on a degree in religious education.   Ross Grove Baptist Church licensed Dr. Melanie Smith to preach on July 23, 2017, and she served as Minister to Senior Adults until her decline in health.

Surviving are her husband, Sidney Smith; two brother, Richard Ansley Rowe (Sarah) and William Daniel Rowe (Gloria); a sister-in-law, Debbie Rowe; two nieces, Ansley Rowe and Courtney Rowe; two nephews, William Arthur Rowe III and Christopher Rowe.  She was preceded in death by a brother, James Arthur Rowe.

Memorial donations may be made to Ross Grove Baptist Church, 1225 Fallston, Rd, Shelby, NC 28150.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.