Margaret “Evelyeen” Wyatt Smith, the wife of one of Food Lion’s founders Wilson L. Smith has died at the age of 90.  She passed away earlier this week at her residence after an extended period of declining health.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who was a co-founder of Food Town Stores, Inc. which later became Food Lion. She married Wilson Smith on July 15, 1943 while he was on active duty with the United States Air Force during World War II.

She and her husband were instrumental in helping organize the Rowan Rose Society and the annual Rose Show in Salisbury. She received numerous awards for her prize-winning roses and flower arrangements.  Her family also established The Wilson L. Smith Family Foundation and quietly supported many religious, educational, healthcare and humanitarian organizations in the Salisbury-Rowan community over the years.