Last Updated on October 29, 2026
Paula Rakestraw, a Howard Hanna Allen Tate real estate agent with Smith Marketing in Summerfield, N.C., was recently honored as a recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest honors.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented by the Governor of North Carolina to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state and their communities.
Rakestraw was among a group of outstanding North Carolinians inducted on October 14 by N.C. Governor Josh Stein. She was recognized for her service to Rockingham County, where she served as executive director of the Rockingham Partnership for Children and as a member of the Rockingham County Board of Education from 2023-2026. She joined Smith Marketing as a real estate agent in July 2025.
“These exceptional North Carolinians have strengthened our state through their leadership, service, and dedication to their communities,” Stein said. “I am proud to honor them today for the lasting impact they have made across the Triad and throughout North Carolina.”
“For years, I’ve dedicated myself to serving children and families — as an advocate and as a member of the Rockingham County Board of Education. I have been truly blessed to serve my home community. Now, I’m excited to extend that same passion into real estate. I understand that a home is more than four walls — it’s where life happens, families grow, and stories unfold,” Rakestraw said.
“Paula is such a quiet leader. She is extremely professional, with a caring heart for each client. She is generous when she sees a need, and she is just as likely to invite you to sit on her porch and spend time knowing more about you,” said Betty Smith, president, Smith Marketing.
Rakestraw and her husband Dwayne make their home in Madison, N.C. They have three children.
Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate is the No.1 real estate company in the Carolinas, with more than 80 offices and 2,000 agents serving communities across North and South Carolina and Georgia. As part of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the largest family-owned and operated real estate company in the United States, Howard Hanna Allen Tate offers a full suite of real estate services, including mortgage, insurance, title and relocation. For more information, visit www.howardhanna.com.
