Elizabeth Smith Deal

Elizabeth Smith Deal, 74, died unexpectedly on June 2, 2023, at her home in Franklin, North Carolina. Liz (or Yaya, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren) was born on January 23, 1949, in Bremerton, Washington, to the late Kathleen Goode Kallan and the late James Carlos Smith, Jr. She grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and Weston, Massachusetts.

Liz graduated from Dana Hall in Wellesley, Massachusetts, in 1966. She briefly attended Hollins University in Salem, Virginia, before becoming a mother to her children Kristen and Jamie. In 1981, Liz graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Nursing. Thereafter, she worked for many years in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. She also spent several years as a psychiatric nurse at a private facility. After her retirement, she volunteered as a hospice caregiver.

Liz was an avid lover of dogs and horses. She began horseback riding at age twelve at the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club and was an accomplished equestrienne in her youth. As an adult she owned several horses–Capo de Capo, Sebastian and Lucy–and enjoyed riding at the stables of Rosemary Landrum in Columbia, South Carolina.

Liz had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed her travels across the globe with friends and family. She was always planning her next adventure. Liz loved being near the coast and recently had spent considerable time at her home at Folly Beach, South Carolina.

Known for her quick wit and intellect, Liz was an excellent card player and enjoyed playing bridge with friends throughout her life. She was also keen to teach her grandchildren card games and would play with them for hours.

Liz was happiest when she was surrounded by family, friends, and her four-pawed buddy Hank. She is survived by her beloved partner, Eric Jon Moberg, of Franklin, North Carolina; her daughter, Kristen Britt Connor and husband, Christopher Ware Connor, of Richmond, Virginia; her son, James Laurent Britt, Jr, of Charleston, South Carolina; her stepson, Roger Bancroft Deal and wife, LaVone Elizabeth Simmons, of Atlanta, Georgia; her daughter-in-law, Nina Fields Britt of Charleston, South Carolina; grandchildren Ian Mitchell Connor of Raleigh, North Carolina, Griffin Britt Connor of Richmond, Virginia, and James Hunter Britt of Charleston, South Carolina. She is also survived by her brother James Carlos Smith III and wife, Lise Ecuyer Smith, of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister Susan Porter Ludwig and husband, Roger William Ludwig, Jr., of Bridgeport, Connecticut; nephews James Carlos Smith IV of Charlotte, North Carolina, Matthew Scott Smith and wife, Kelly Heath Smith, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and John Brittin Eustis and wife, Amy Goins Eustis, of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also survived by Gregory Wesley Moberg, his wife, Stephanie and stepdaughter, Tara of Franklin, North Carolina, and Eric Jon Moberg, Jr., of Asheville, North Carolina.

Liz was predeceased by her husband of twenty-eight years, Roger Wiley Deal of Columbia, South Carolina, and her nephew Tucker Scott Ludwig, of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Feeding America or your favorite charity.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Deal family.