Martha Lorraine (Lanham) Smoot

Martha Lorraine Lanham Smoot, 90, of High Point, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Select Specialty Hospital in Greensboro. She was witty, loyal and strong.

Born September 23, 1931, in Tampa, Florida, she was the eldest child of the late Fred Belt Lanham, Jr. and the late Thelma Rosalie Lynn Lanham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Fred “Sonny” Lanham, III, and sister, Peggy Bishop.

She met her husband Wilbur Cornelius Smoot when she was in high school. She found herself looking for a seat in her classroom one day and heard a voice say, "You can come over here and sit on my knee!" Although she didn't take him up on the offer, she did accept his invitation for a date; and after seventy-two years of marriage, it turned out to be a good pick-up line after all. Wilbur says he knew she would be the perfect wife for him, and she was - he felt that way the day he saw her and every day since.

They built a life and a family together in High Point, where she worked at Tip Top Bakery for 17 years. She was a talented seamstress and craftswoman who worked alongside Wilbur to make and sell ceramic dolls, wooden rocking horses and warm winter hats. Her keen attention to detail also made her an especially talented genealogist; she spent many years mining her family lineage, as well as those of extended family and friends. She was a curious, skilled researcher and meticulous record keeper.

She was deeply proud of her son Norbert and daughter Amber, who share her quick wit and devilish sense of humor. Over the years, she welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren into her arms, letting them eat a little bit of dessert before dinner, teaching them to sew, and telling them stories about when their parents were young. Attentive to each one, she was interested in their lives and eager to hear their stories. Never did a birthday or anniversary go by without an email or card; she was a selfless, unfailing caregiver, who will be remembered for countless acts of service throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by her husband Wilbur Cornelius Smoot of the home; son, Norbert Smoot and wife Susan of Trinity; daughter, Amber Smoot Kelley and husband Mark of High Point; grandchildren, Emily Smoot Smith and husband Robert of Winston-Salem, Zoe Kelley Kreipe and husband Nolan of St. Mary’s, Georgia, Aidan Kobe Kelley, Campbell Quinn Kelley; great-grandchildren, Charlotte Wilson Smith, and Elizabeth Hamilton Smith. She loved us all well and there was no better place than in her fold.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2022, in the mausoleum chapel of Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Preston Davis officiating.

Wright Funerals-Cremations is in charge of arrangements.