Annette Smith Stafford, 72, of Tryon, N.C., died peacefully on February 16, 2017 in the Elizabeth House, Hendersonville, N.C.

Born in Union, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Ruth Greene Smith. Annette graduated from Union High School in 1962, and she also graduated from Winthrop College in 1966. She taught physics and higher mathematics at Union High School for four years. She and her husband Charles moved to Tryon in 1970, and she taught higher mathematics and computer science at Tryon High School for 21 years. In 1984, she established a computer science lab that served as a model for the state. Annette also coached boys and girls high school tennis. In 1990, she and Charles purchased the Caro-Mi Dining Room, where she served as secretary-treasurer of the business until recently.

Surviving are her husband, Charles W. Stafford; a son, Dane T. Stafford (Stacey); grandson, Ian Stafford; a brother, Herbert F. Smith, Jr. of Fredericksburg, Va.; a sister, Cynthia Dickey of Lake Frankston, Texas; two nephews, Chris and Capp Ellis, and a niece, Emily Smith (Martin).

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, February 20, 2017 in the First Baptist Church of Tryon with Dr. Jeff Harris and Dr. Darryl Maxwell officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Tryon for capital improvements projects, P.O. Box 1287, Tryon, NC 28782.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon, N.C.