Callie Hamlin Smith

Mrs. Callie Hamlin Smith, 89, of Siloam, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, January 9, 2025, at Central Continuing Care in Mount Airy. Mrs. Smith was born October 6, 1935, in Surry County, one of four children born to the late Richard “Dick” Hamlin and Gladys Inez Marion Hamlin Hawks. Callie was raised in a rural area of Surry County and grew up with a strong appreciation for her heritage, the land, and the close-knit community around her. After graduating from Dobson High School in 1953, she went on to earn her teaching degree at Western Carolina University. Callie returned to Western Carolina after one year in the classroom to obtain her master’s degree in speech pathology. She served as a speech therapist for Surry County Schools for the remainder of her career. Her passion for education was rooted in the values of hard work and kindness she learned growing up, and she carried those lessons into her career. For many years, she shaped the minds of countless students with dedication, patience, and a love for learning. Her commitment to education went beyond the classroom; she believed deeply in the potential of every child and worked tirelessly to ensure their success, often going the extra mile to offer guidance, encouragement, and support. Her dedication to the betterment of Surry County’s education system led her to serve on the Surry County Schools Board of Education several years. In this role, she was a passionate advocate for students, teachers, and the community, always striving to make decisions that would improve the local schools and promote the growth of the next generation. Callie was not only a teacher and public servant but an advocate for the advancement of resources and education for the visually handicapped, as her daughter, Nell, was blind. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Tina Smith; her grandchildren, Morgan Fields, Jordan Moore, and Joseph Smith; her great-grandchildren, Eli Fields, Evan Fields, Liam Moore, and Patrick Moore; her sister, Opal Hamlin Hardy; her brother and sister-in-law, Cleve and Sandra Hamlin; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Lee Smith; her daughter, Lori Nell Smith; and her brother, Curtis Dale Hamlin. The family is planning a memorial service for a later date. A private interment will be held in the Siloam Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lori Nell Smith Scholarship Fund, Surry Community College Foundation, 630 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017. Callie will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to education and her legacy in making Surry County a better place.