Heidi Ann Simpson

Heidi Ann Smith, 74, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.

Heidi was born at Tinker Air Force Base Hospital in Midwest City, Oklahoma, to the late Lester Edward Smith and Mabel Rita Ferreira Smith on July 21, 1951. 

During her life, Heidi lived in Oklahoma, the Philippines, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, and Germany. She graduated from General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany and attended the University of Maryland in Munich. She then traveled and adventured throughout Spain, Portugal, Scotland, and Ireland before returning to the United States in 1972.

She worked in a variety of sectors but most enjoyed hospitality, sales, and customer service, and locally included the original Salem Tavern, The Zevely House, Leon’s Café, Salem Kitchen, and Novant Health FMC Food & Nutrition Department. Her work ethic, personal integrity, kindness, and fierce advocacy for others made her a respected and valued employee and coworker.

Heidi was beautiful, smart, kind, and generous. She was a talented artist. She was a loving friend to people of all ages and made others feel seen, valued, and cared for. She went out of her way to uplift and encourage those around her. Heidi brought humor, fun and great conversation with her everywhere.

Heidi held onto a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity that was contagious. She was very sentimental and had a great love and appreciation for art, history, nostalgia, and antiques. When her health allowed, Heidi loved being outdoors, going to the local farmer’s markets and garden shops, planting in her yard, taking pictures of anything and everything, and yes, including the deer even though they came and ate her flowers.

She dearly loved her family and friends and would do anything for them. You didn’t really need anyone else in your corner if you had Heidi there. Heidi loved, and was incredibly loved by, her sisters’ 4 Labrador retrievers, Lucy, Sadie Mae, Ruby Doo, and Henry; and a sweet little Cairn terrier, Maddie.

She is survived by her sisters, Holly Simpson (David), and Cathy Smith; her niece and nephew, Brianna Swing and David Swing, Jr.; and great niece, Ava Mabel Swing.

The family expresses deep appreciation to Dr. Garrett Sherwood and staff, Bayada Home Health Care, Trellis Supportive Care, and Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, for their care and kindness.

Heidi will be remembered for her sweet, gentle spirit, her strength and perseverance, and the deep love she carried for her family and friends. She will remain in the hearts of those she loved and those who loved her and will be forever missed.

No formal service will be held.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is respectfully serving the family of Ms. Heidi Ann Smith.