Mrs. Carla Jane Smith, 56, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Amorem Hospice of Valdese, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Carla was born on April 12, 1969, in Burke County NC to Betty Stamey Smith and the late Tim Smith. In addition to her father, she is preceded in death by her grandparents Fisher and Tess Smith, Loy and Mary Stamey.
She is survived by her husband Phillip Buchanan and their two children Quenton Smith (girlfriend Alyssa McNeely), and Peyton Smith of Connelly Springs, brother, Mike Smith and sister, Teresa Proctor, three nephews, Matthew and Tyler Smith, Adam Proctor, and niece, Jessica Proctor.
Carla was a faithful wife to her husband, Phillip Buchanan and dedicated herself to her two children, Quenton and Peyton. Her lessons and guidance to them show in everything they do. She loved her family with diligence and grace without asking anything in return. She was clothed in strength and dignity, as it tells us in Proverbs. With wisdom and kindness on her tongue and caring in her heart, Carla has been an angel as a caregiver to a multitude of families in her community. Always going above and beyond to help in any way. She cared for everyone with compassion and respect.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 1:00 until 2:00pm with funeral service at 2:00pm at Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church in Hickory, with Rev. Paul Deal officiating. Graveside services will follow at Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery in Connelly Springs.
The family would like to thank the many friends and family members who helped care for Carla. Your time, works of love and your support have not gone unnoticed.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is assisting the Smith family.
My thoughts and Prayers are with all of her family! Carla was one of my best friends since the 7th grade. We had many years of good times and I can’t believe she is gone. You will never be forgotten sweet friend! Rest In Peace until I see you again! 🙏
My thoughts and Prayers for all of Carla’s family! I can’t believe she is gone. She will be missed.
I will always cherish your friendship in this lifetime, you were more than a friend you were my sister.. I will be talking to you frequently so I sure hope you will listen and look forward to seeing your face again Someday, until then fly high and check in on me from time to time, I sure will miss all our talks and will always cherish our memories. 💔 I LOVE YOU CARLA JANE SMITH 😭
God Bless the whole family and their friends my prayers are with you all
Carla was such a kind and loving person , she always had a smile on her face no matter how much pain she was in from the cancer , she will always be remembered in our hearts.
So sorry to hear about Carla she was a beautiful person inside and out .She will greatly be missed. God has another angel gone way to soon .
My prayers are with the whole family and friends. She was always so sweet to me. I consider her a friend.
I will always remember her contagious laugh. She enjoyed life and will be sorely missed. My prayers are with her family and friends. Go rest my friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I can’t believe you are gone! I’m going to miss your smiling face and beautiful heart. Rest easy my friend til we meet again!
Phillip, Quentin, Peyton and family
We are so very sad to hear of Carla’s passing. May you find peace and comfort knowing she now walking with Jesus. Praying for your family. Love, Debbie
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Losing a loved one is never an easy thing. Heaven gained another angel. Love, Sherry Ollis and family
Family,
So sorry for your loss. I lift you all up in prayer for strength, comfort and peace. May God wrap his loving arms around you and keep you in his spirit, today and always.
Tammy Buchanan
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Carla. She was a wonderful and beautiful lady inside and out. Every time I saw her she was always smiling and in good spirits about her sickness. She will be missed, go fly high with Jesus sweet lady.
She was a wonderful person she was always happy and so friendly to everyone she will be missed prayers for all
Carla was happy and bubbly anytime I saw her, so sad to hear that she’s lost her courageous battle. My condolences to her family, praying that they find comfort in the days ahead as they share good memories of the time they shared.
I WILL MISS YOU CARLA. I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN AT US . YOU WERE A GREAT FRINED !
I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN YOU. YOUR KIND HEART AND LOVE FOR OTHERS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. PRAYERS FOR PHILLIP,QUENTIN, PEYTON, AND FAMILY.
.
My prayers and condolences to Philip and family for the loss of a wife mother daughter and sister, I know she will be greatly missed, but rejoice she is with the Lord
CJ, My Royal Sister. May God Wrap His Ever Loving Arm’s AROUND UR Husband Ur Children Grandkids Ur Precious Mother. Praying THAT His Wonderful Grace Will Give Them Peace In Knowing That Your Beautiful Smile And Cherished Love For Them. To Say This Isn’t Goodbye That It Will Be A See U Later Our Guardian Angel. CJ OUR ROYAL Sister We Will See U On The Other Side Of Them Gloden Gates Of Heaven.
I WILL Always Cherish The Good Times We Royals Had In School An Out In Our Life’s.
R.I.P. Smiley. UR Big Royal Brother Brian K Angel.
Mike, Teresa and Betty. So sorry to hear this.
Carla was always such a special person.
So sorry to hear this, I know Carla had a long hard battle with this terrible disease. Phillip I pray the the Lord gives you and your family peace and comfort at this difficult time. I got to know you and Carla from when you owned The Pit Stop and you both are great folks. Heaven certainly gained an angel.
My mom Martha LaBoda just told me I’m going to miss my cousin so much she always looked out for me. I hate I wasn’t able make it I live south ga area my heart goes out to my family.
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me,
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I’d always thought,
I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I’d say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.
He said, “This is eternity,
And all I’ve promised you.”
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day’s the same way
There’s no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn’t do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.
Phillip, Quentin and Peyton, Teresa, Mike. Betty and children, I believe with all my heart that this what Carla would say to you. This has helped me through a lot of tough times when I just wanted to give up on life without my dad. May God continue to bless and comfort all of you. I am always here if you need anything.
Phillip, Quentin and Peyton, Teresa, Mike. Betty and children, I believe with all my heart that this what Carla would say to you. This has helped me through a lot of tough times when I just wanted to give up on life without my dad. May God continue to bless and comfort all of you. I am always here if you need anything.
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me,
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I’d always thought,
I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I’d say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven’s gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.
He said, “This is eternity,
And all I’ve promised you.”
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day’s the same way
There’s no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn’t do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.