Warner Smith Rackley

Warner Smith Rackley, 89, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2025. 

Warner was born in Nash County, NC on June 12, 1936 to the late Pawnee Bill and Mary Lucy Smith Rackley.  Warner grew up on a family farm just outside of Nashville.  After graduation from Nashville High School in 1955, Warner attended N. C. State College.  During this time, he worked intermittently, blending time at school and on the job.  One job he frequently referenced was working for the local Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, where he spoke fondly of meeting with area farmers and surveying croplands.  In 1958, Warner began working for Belk Tyler Stores of Rocky Mount as a sales associate.  While he may not have known it at the time, this would lead to Warner’s career in retail management.  In 1960, he would forgo the remainder of his college training when he was promoted to assistant manager of the Belk Tyler Store in Farmville.  He would continue training through his work and various courses at the local community college.  In addition to the everyday tasks that came with managing a retail store in a small town, he also loved to work on and repair small engines and appliances.  He had a knack for working on items like vacuums and sewing machines that were occasionally returned to the store.  He also served in his community with the Army National Guard, the Jaycees, later Kiwanis Club, and also First Baptist Church.  Warner continued to work with Belks becoming manager of the Farmville Store in 1977 and manager of the Plaza Mall Store of Greenville in 1989.  While retiring from full-time work in 1993 to spend more time with his wife and family, Warner continued to work part-time with short-term jobs for Belks and Greene County Soil Conservation Service.  Clearly even after many years in retail, he still felt connected to his agricultural roots.  He also continued to contribute as a member and volunteer at First Baptist Church. 

Warner is survived by his son, Warner Cooper Rackley and his wife, Teresa Briley Rackley.  He is also survived by a grandson, Jordan Benjamin Rackley.  

In addition to his parents, Warner was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Cooper Rackley, and a younger brother, Archie Kendall Rackley. 

Visitation will take place at Farmville Funeral Home at 1 PM, Saturday, August 23rd with a memorial service immediately following at 2 PM.  A private burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dementia Society of America. 

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