Faye Smith Lineberger

On January 17, 2010, Faye Smith Lineberger, left for her heavenly home at age 93. A native of Gastonia, she was preceded in death by her parents, Wade O. and Ada Abernethy Smith, her husband, The Reverend T. A. Lineberger, an infant son, Gene Smith Lineberger, and 10 siblings. Mrs. Lineberger is survived by her two daughters, Rhea L. Ross and husband, Johnny, of Apex, Lou Lineberger Stewart, of Drexel, and son, The Reverend Thomas A. Lineberger, Jr. and wife, Marsha, also of Morganton. She took special joy in four grandchildren: Krista S. Heavner and husband, Brett, of Denver (NC); Kasey M. Stewart of Charlotte; Mark T. Lineberger and wife, Mayah, of Greensboro; and Matthew T. Lineberger, a student at Gardner-Webb University. Great-grandchildren are Addisen Faye and Benjamin Heavner, special extended family, Jerry and Loretta Denton, Beth and Sam King family.

Since 1959 she had lived in Burke County when her husband became Pastor of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and she assisted him in the development of the South Mountain Baptist Camp, founded in 1957. During the 40 years that she worked alongside her husband and their son at the camp, she became "Ma" to thousands of campers, staffers, ministers, and missionaries from many parts of NC as well as several countries. Through the years she has been faithful to churches of which she was a member. Since 1998 she took pride in the ministries of First Baptist Church, Morganton, even though she could not attend very often.As an expert seamstress, she skillfully created beautiful handwork to share a part of herself with many friends and extended family, especially her 18 nieces and nephews. These gifts will continue to be a visible reminder of her love.The family would like to express thanks for concern, prayers, calls and visits of many friends and relatives. She loved to hear and read about them. We also acknowledge the care given Mrs. Lineberger by Blue Ridge Home Healthcare, College Pines, Autumn Care, and most notably Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. As a parting gift of love, she donated her body to the UNC School of Medicine.A memorial service celebrating her life and influence is scheduled for 2 p.m., Sunday, January 24, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Morganton with the Rev. Dr. Thomas A Bland, Jr., and Rev. Dr. Johnny Ross officiating. The family will gather and receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to South Mountain Baptist Camp, 3558 Baptist Camp Rd., Connelly Springs, NC 28612 for the Lineberger Memorial Prayer Garden, or the FBC Deaf Mission of Morganton, PO Box 459, Morganton, NC 28680. Sossoman Funeral Home has assisted the family with the arrangements.