Rita Carol Smith, 77, of Columbia passed away Monday, January 26, 2026 at her residence. She was born in Columbia on June 16, 1948, to the late Kenneth and Eula Grant Pyles.
Mrs. Smith was a member of the New Hope Separate Baptist Church and a graduate of Lindsey Wilson University. She enjoyed flea marketing, going to the peddler’s mall and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandson and her pets “Red, Sissy & Bubba”.
Survivors include her husband Larry Smith of Columbia; two sons, Mark Franklin and Timmy Franklin (Tara); a grandson, Mason Franklin (Amber); a great-granddaughter on the way, Kennedy; three siblings, Barbara Flatt, Jeffery Pyles and Patty Wong; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six siblings, Lyndall Pyles, Bernadine Drake, Katie Houiser, Cindy Rowe, Terry Lee Pyles, and Betty Kerney.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 30, 2026, at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Haven Hill Cemetery.
Bro Shane Gaskins officiated and pallbearers were Mark Franklin, Timmy Franklin, Mason Franklin, Craig Sandusky, Terry Davis and Doug Taylor.
