Stella May Smith Mace

October 21, 1919 - March 8, 2022
Stella May Smith Mace

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The daughter of William R. and Ethel M. Smith of Quincy, MA, Stella May Smith Mace died peacefully on March 8, 2022, at the age of 102. The oldest sister of Marion H. Aufiero (deceased) and Ruth E. Howland, Stella moved with her daughters and late husband Sidney M. Mace when he returned to Hendersonville, NC in 1950. She was a graduate of Quincy (MA) High School and Framingham (MA) Teachers College and retired from Pardee Hospital in 1981 after 21 years as a dietary supervisor. In her retirement years, she was an avid quilter, a rabid genealogist; and a charter member of the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society where she also volunteered twice weekly until age 95.

On the occasion of her 100th birthday, October 21, 2019, was declared “Stella Mace Day” by the mayor of Hendersonville, NC. During a long and productive lifetime, Stella demonstrated a deep love for her community, abiding faith in God, inspiring dedication to her church, and a loving concern for the welfare of others. She earned the respect and affection of people from all walks of life and all ages.

Stella is survived by her daughters Sydney M. Mace and Nancy C. Corn, son-in-law Wayne Corn, grandchildren William R. Robinson, Elisabeth Robinson Trace, and Stephen Corn, and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many dear friends. She was a member of Jones Gap Baptist Church. A classmate wrote in their 1941 college yearbook, “Stella, Keep that twinkle in your eye.” She did. Her family misses her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc., 400 North Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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  • March 18, 2023
    Lisa Trace says:
    It’s been a year since Gramma passed. She lived a long healthy life and was a joy to everyone. I love that her birthday Oct 21st was declared Stella Mace Day! She was the kind of person that showed up to everything. She always had a smile and kind words to say. She was creative and great working with her hands quilting, knitting and crocheting. She enjoyed the importance of genealogy and worked hard to leave that for her family. She was positive and encouraging. I always told her when I grow up, I way to be just like you! She was 50 yrs old when I was born, and I was 52 when I lost her. I’m so grateful for the love she showed me and look forward to seeing her again!!

  • March 18, 2023
    Lisa Trace lit a candle:
    Lit since March 18, 2023 at 3:20:50 PM

  • March 10, 2022
    Jo Ann Fain says:
    So sorry to read this. I enjoyed working with her on several family searches. Knew her when she worked at Pardee and then enjoyed her at the Society. She was such a help in marking Lovie Corn Carver's grave and also working on the letter that her Confederate husband sent to her from the battlefield. She was special and will not be forgotten.

  • March 11, 2022
    Nancy corn says:
    I Thank the Lord for blessing me, and the rest her family, by allowing her to be a part of our lives for so long. She was the best mother anyone could ever have. She loved, taught, guided, and helped me all of my life. She was alway a close part of my, and my family’s life. My husband, Wayne, was very close to her, as well. We are heart-broken.

  • March 11, 2022
    Wayne Corn says:
    My mother-in-law, Stella Mace, always treated me as one of her own. She loved and helped me in every way she could. I worshipped with her at Jones Gap Church and, more recently at her home. Just a few days ago, I was reciting “The Lords Prayer” with her, and, on her own, she picked right up with “The Twenty-third Psalm”. Her favorite hymn was still “Amazing Grace”, and she still loved for us to sing it with her. Then, after singing “I’ll Fly Away”, she said to me “and we’ll fly away together”. And, in a way, we did, because we were together when she went to be with Jesus, and some glad morning “we’ll all fly away” to “that home beyond the shining shores” to be with her again in Glory. She also loved the hymn “All Is Well With My Soul” and I’m sure “all is well with her soul”. With All My Love, Wayne He