Merrill Fetner Smith

Merrill Fetner Smith, 80, of Asheboro, NC passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Merrill was born in Greensboro, NC in 1946 and raised in Asheboro, NC. Her parents, Jack and Elizabeth Austin Fetner managed Asheboro Country Club where Merrill spent summers establishing friendships that would last for decades. Merrill graduated Asheboro High School in 1964 and attended Greensboro College and UNCG to earn her Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degree. She immediately went to work in the public sector, teaching at Franklinville School, serving as Dean of Learning Resources at Randolph and Stanley Community College and helping on the Board of the Randolph County Public Library and numerous other local organizations.

Randolph Community College was her favorite stop in her career. She especially cherished the photography program there and even enrolled in the evening photography classes offered at the time. She worked hard to establish a solid library science program at the college and embraced the mission of serving the local community.

A lover of all furry creatures, Merrill was active in every local animal related organization. She worked with the humane society, SPCA and animal shelter and regularly cared for dogs and cats on a short and long term basis. Traveling was her passion. She loved the coastline of New England and the bay area of Maryland. Visiting the Chesapeake Bay one final time with her best friend and former college roommate, Diane, was a highlight of her final years.

Merrill also loved traveling and exploring through books. A prolific reader, she dedicated her life to learning through reading. She briefly left the public sector to travel the east coast for Ebsco Publishing to establish electronic libraries in major university libraries. She was passionate about reading and loved encouraging others to read. After assisting with the establishment of the Randolph Public Library downtown book store, she volunteered there for years.

Merrill was preceded in death by another best friend (and unofficial sister) Judy Morgan, whose passing was a great loss to her. There was never a closer friend and they are finally reunited. Her brother Lawrence Jackson Fetner and wife Sylvia and brother James Palmer Fetner and wife Iris preceded Merrill in death as well. She was also preceded in death by Danny Smith, whom she was briefly married to and cared for until his passing.

She is survived by nephews Dr. James and wife Maggie Fetner of Asheboro, Chris Fetner of Los Angeles, California, Mark and wife Justina Fetner of Raleigh, Jack and wife Dee Dee Fetner of High Point and niece Cathy Fetner of Cary and her beloved cat Sammy. A private ceremony will be held to celebrate Merrill’s life.

In lieu of physical and virtual flowers, please consider making a donation to the RCC Foundation General Scholarship Fund in memory of Merrill Fetner Smith. Checks can be mailed to the RCC Foundation, 629 Industrial Park Ave, Asheboro, NC 27205 (336-633-0295) or send a donation electronically through their website.