Loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend, Lois Dean Smith Wollett, 84, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on May 2, 2026.
Dean was born in Halifax County, NC to the late Jack and Morehead Smith on March 16, 1942, and was raised on a farm with two sisters whom she loved dearly. Her parents were faithful attendees of Rocky Swamp Primitive Baptist Church, instilling a love for God in her that would last throughout her life.
Dean attended Aurelian Spring School, where she was voted the cutest in her senior class, before graduating in 1960. Her son, Jacob, must have gotten his good looks from her, because he received the same award in his senior year.
After graduation, Dean went on to attend Troutman’s Carolina Beauty College in Raleigh, where she earned her degree as a cosmetologist, graduating in 1961.
After her college graduation, Dean worked as a hairdresser for many years, making friends with her customers and coworkers, especially Jan Coggins. Dean also pursued a brief acting career at Lakeland Arts where she made many new friends.
Dean stayed active throughout her life and had an array of interests; however, some of them took priority over others. She had a love for flowers, especially roses, and took pride in her rosebush that she nurtured for thirty-five years.
Dean also loved country music line dancing, and just recently told her children that she needed a new pair of cowboy boots because she was going to teach line dancing out at The Landings Assisted Living facility.
Reading was Dean’s favorite pastime, with her favorite author being Grace Livingston Hill. Just days before she went home to be with Jesus, Dennis took her out to lunch and then to the thrift store, where she proceeded to buy twenty-two books!
Although Dean was a member of New Testament Christian Church, in the last year and a half she lived in Littleton at The Landings of Lake Gaston and attended Enterprise Baptist Church alongside her family who are members there.
During her stay at The Landings, Dean enjoyed going to the church devotions, auctions, a good game or two of bingo, and other activities that were held.
Out of all of Dean’s varied interests, her greatest passion and love, after God, was for her family. She absolutely enjoyed being with her family at get-togethers, no matter how loud those get-togethers became.
In addition to her parents, Dean is also preceded in death by her stepfather, Jack Brown, and sister, Linda Liles.
Left to cherish Dean’s memory are her children, Lisa Arwood (Jerry), William Wollett (Susan), Michael Wollett (Cindy), and Jacob Wollett (Kristian).
Known as Grandma and Nene, Dean also leaves seven grandchildren, Jason Batten, Dustin Wollett (Grace), Ellie Wollett (Zach), Will Wollett (Sydney), Ashley Askew (Alex), Landen Wollett (Nataleigh), and Reagan Wollett; four great grandchildren, Henry Wollett (aka Hen), Adeline Wollett (aka Adi), Lily Grace Wollett (aka Willie Grace), and Hugh Wollett (aka Herbert); sister, Jackie Warren (Alton); nieces and nephews, Sammy Liles (Donna), Neal Liles (Jackie), Mickey Liles (Gloria), Debbie Rightmyer (Tommy), and Susan Warren; former husband, Lynn Wollett; special companion of 18 years, Dennis Pepper, who took Dean on numerous memorable adventures; and many cousins, extended family and friends, each of whom she loved dearly.
Many thanks go out to Dr. Mario Fiorilli, and his nurse, Aimee, who cared for Dean for many years. Also, a huge thank you to the staff at The Landings of Lake Gaston, The ER Department of ECU Health North in Roanoke Rapids, ECU Health Helicopter pilots, ICU in Greenville, The Service League of Greenville Hospice House, and Wrenn Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends at New Testament Christian Church, 615 Jackson Street, Roanoke Rapids, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 5 until 7 pm. Funeral Services will be held for Dean the following day at 11 am Thursday, May 7, 2026, also at New Testament Church, with Pastors Daniel West and Jimmy Tickle officiating. Interment will follow at Rocky Swamp Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 3347 Heathsville Rd, Enfield.
Arrangements are under the compassionate care of Wrenn Funeral Home and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wrennfh.com