WILMINGTON — Tara Leigh Jones Smith, 46, left this earthly life for her eternal rest Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.
She was born Aug. 16, 1972, in Duplin County, the daughter of Ralph Jones (Ann Merritt) of Wilmington and Janice Brown Foley (Terry) of Rose Hill.
Surviving in addition to her loving parents are her sons, Mathew “Matt” Puckett of Wilmington and Jonathan Puckett of Peru; grandchildren, Vanessa Leigh Puckett, Lucas Puckett, Jonah Preslee Simmermon and Reighna Bryce Simmermon; sister, Casey Jones of Kenansville; fiance’, Dave West; and numerous extended family and friends who loved Tara dearly.
Tara, or “Tinkerbell,” as her Daddy affectionately called her, was a loving mother and caring grandmother, daughter and sister. She enjoyed the simplest things in life, but her greatest joy was making sure that Matt and Jonathan were loved and taken care of. With a keen sense of humor and sweet spirit, Tara loved to laugh and make others laugh; a joy to be around. She was a good cook and hard worker who loved her family dearly. Tara will surely be missed, but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
A celebration of Tara’s life will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace Chapel. Following the service, the family will receive friends until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family requests a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 747 Third Ave., 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Share online condolences with the family at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home.
