Jacqueline Elaine “Jackie” Dalton Smith, 71, of Harmony, N.C., died Thursday, August 29, 2024, after a period of declining health.

Jackie was born at Travis Air Force Base on December 10, 1952. Her father, a member of the Air Force, was stationed in many states and in Africa, and eventually settled in Rock Camp, Ohio. After graduation from school, she went to live with her aunt in Huntington, W.Va. It was there she met and fell in love with her husband in December 1972. They were married on January 30, 1973, and started their married life together in Long Shoals, N.C., but after two years they moved to Harmony, N.C., in 1975. She was married almost 52 years, and recently she would tell people she was married more years than the days she knew her husband before their marriage.

In Harmony, Jackie took a part-time job at Rosewood Rest home. Working there she would become attached to many of the residents, and this started her on a lifelong desire to help the elderly. After working many years at Rosewood, she became the administrator. After leaving Rosewood, she went to work at Eden Gardens in Statesville, N.C., in the Alzheimer’s section of the home until it was closed. She then worked as a secretary at Statesville Dialysis Center until she left to take care of her mother. Later she went to work at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital as a secretary in the dialysis center. She loved her job there and became very attached to some of the people she worked with. Working at Baptist Hospital was the most important job she ever mentioned from then on. Working three days a week gave her plenty of time to take care of her mother, whom she loved dearly. Her heart was broken when her mom passed.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the same time her mother passed, she had to take leave, then progressed to disability and was never being able to go back to work. She missed the job and companionship of all the personnel terribly. For the next ten years, having Parkinson’s and heart problems, she became weaker, and each night would read from her Bible and pray to God. I believe she is in heaven now with her mother to be together forever.

Arrangements will be announced later.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.