Celia Pickett Smith, 90, of Wilmington, NC, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Morningside of Wilmington.

She was born on June 6, 1936, in Chinquapin, NC, to the late Mildred Parker Farmer.

Celia faithfully attended 828 Church and cherished her relationship with the Lord. She loved her family deeply and treasured the time they shared together. She also enjoyed sewing and was an exceptional gardener who took great pride in her work.

Celia is survived by her daughters, Teresa Malpass and husband, Roger, Wanda Robertson and husband, Eric; her son, Jimmy Pickett, Jr. and wife, Vickie; her grandchildren, TJ Kelly and wife, Scot; Lacie Wooten and husband, Eric; Carlis Malpass; her great grandchildren, Jamie Kelly, Thomas Kelly, Emerie Wooten; her sister, June Smith; and a host of extended family and friends that loved her dearly.

In addition to her mother, Celia was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, James Pickett; her second husband, Donald Smith; her sister, Joyce Atkinson; and her brother, Paul Parker Rivenbark.

Her funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home in Wilmington with Pastor Ron Barnard officiating. The pallbearers will be Roger Malpass, Carlis Malpass, Eric Roberton, TJ Kelly, Jamie Kelly, Eric Wooten. Burial will take place following the service at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington. The family will receive friends and visitors one hour prior to the service from 10:00am to 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Celia’s memory to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation.

The family would like to thank the staff at Morningside for their compassionate care.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting the Guest Book below.

Quinn McGowen Funeral Home of Wilmington is serving the family.

910-794-7171