McCall proclaims Minnie Arbell Smithwick Day

Williamston Mayor Dean McCall declared July 10 Minnie Arbell Smithwick Day, honoring 100-year-old lifetime resident with the declaration and a proclamation outlining Smithwick’s life and accomplishments.

Smithwick was born in 1924 to King David Smithwick and Gracie Powell Smithwick. The family lived between Williamston and Jamesville in a community called the Island.

In 1946, Smithwick married her classmate Johnnie Edward Bell, who had served in Pearl Harbor and became a distinguished WWII Veteran. The couple made their home in Bell Town where she continues to reside today.

The centenarian is the mother of three children, Minnie Smithwick Hart, Grace Bell Herring and the late Lewis Edward Bell. She also has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Smithwick is proud of her great grandchild, acclaimed Chef Sakari Smithwick. The culinary craftsman has appeared on the Food Network’s Chop and Hell’s Kitchen.

Smithwick retired from Weyehauser’s Plant Division in 1980 and received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service as a Respite Care Giver on December 1st, 1997. Today, Smithwick maintains an active social life enjoying visits, meaningful conversations and she continues to enjoy her favorite hobby, pickle making. She is a renowned baker, canner and soap maker, according to her daughter, Minnie Smithwick Hart.

“She has lived during the most eventful century of this world’s history and, in her quiet way, has been a force for good and a stabilizing influence on those around her during these turbulent years and therefore be it proclaimed that as the Mayor of Williamston, North Carolina, and on behalf of the Williamston Town Board of Commissioners, it is my great honor to recognize Minnie Arbell Smithwick on her 100th birthday as a treasure to this community for her exemplary life well lived,” proclaimed McCall. “Furthermore, I encourage all fellow residents, family and friends to pay tribute to Mrs. Minnie Arbell Smithwick on her 100th birthday and wish her health and happiness in all her days. I hereby declare July 10th as Minnie Arbell Smithwick Day.”