JACKSONVILLE  -  Annie Jane Smith Gurganus, 90, of Jacksonville, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and best friend passed away Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, At Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC with special family and friends at her side.

She entered this world on Jan 15, 1934, in Columbus Co, NC. She was the beloved daughter of Preston Camm Smith & Cornelia Belle Bright Smith. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday March 30th at 1:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Don Guldin, food and fellowship to follow right after.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Aman Gurganus, her parents Preston Camm & Cornelia Belle Smith, her sisters: Roberta "Bert" Smith Godwin & Geneva Belle "Jill" Godwin, and her brothers: Jabel Garland "Penny" Smith,  James Howard "Buddy" Smith, Homer Lee Smith, William Oscar "Bill" Smith, Horace McDuffie "Jack" Smith and Albert Leland "Dick" Smith, and one stepbrother Willard Wright, her granddaughter Rebecca Francis King and her 7 great grandchildren, Aundrea Monique Medina, Elaynah Rae Medina-Parker, Aniyah, Davanna, Alicia, Saniah & Savaughn.

She is survived by three daughters: Rita Ann Gurganus, Zona Gail Gurganus and Cornelia Jane Heath; all of Jacksonville, one brother: Henry Cam "Bud" Smith of Newport News, VA,10 Grandchildren: Anna Medina, Allison Everett (Daniel), Jason Monday (Heather), Amanda Medina, David King (Carla), Elizabeth Leffler (Chris) all of Jacksonville, NC, Andrea Norwood (Jimi) and Zeb Gurganus (Nicki) of Swansboro, NC, Adrian O'quin of Holly Ridge NC, and Zack Gurganus of Arlington, VA, 21 Great Grandchildren: Aiyana Parker, Audrey Medina, Joseph Medina, Noha Dawe, Ava Leffler, Leah Leffler, Sara-Ann King, Harlow Monday, Deliah Monday, Eniyah Medina, Emahni Parker all of Jacksonville, NC, DaShawn Everett (Jennifer) of Sanford, FL, DeMetre Everett (Megan) of San Diego, CA, Kevin Hounshell of Hampton, VA, Jahbreeze Medina-Mack (Kalynn) of Havelock, NC, Alana Johnson, of Northern CA, Jayson Monday, of Wilmington, NC, Khloe Gurganus Bates of Paradise, TX, Adelaid Gurganus, Naylor, GA, Zyler Lambeth of Holly Ridge, NC, Marley Wells of Swansboro, NC, and 13 Great Great grandchildren: Avion James, Devyn Everett, Amillio Hatchell, Jonah Hounshell, Kaliegh Medina, Andres Kinsey, Baby Girl "August" Medina all of Jacksonville, NC, Amirah Everett of Sanford, FL, Malikai Everett and Isabella Everett of Wilmington, NC, Jahbreeze Medina-Mack Jr, Melody McComas, and Baby Boy "Bambino" Medina-Mack all of Havelock, NC.

She also leaves many special nephews, nieces, and friends. Annie loved any and everyone she met. She was a 7-time 5th generation grandmother.

She loved doing sudoku, word search & crossword puzzles crocheting, fishing, gardening, nature watching the game show channel and was an amazing cook. She went out of her way to help anyone in need. She will be truly missed by all, but as she said at the end "Until we meet again" and we definitely will see you in heaven one day they have a special Angel so this is not Goodbye forever just for now we love you and again "Until we meet again!!".

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Annie's name to Calvary Baptist Church, 122 Thompson St, Jacksonville, NC 28540.