Mary Inez Smith, 79, originally from Thomasville, Ga., went home to be with the Lord on May 10, 2016 in Sylva.
She was a member of East Side Baptist Church in Thomasville where she helped in many areas and served as nursery director for several years. She attended Acquoni Baptist Chapel in Cherokee while living with her daughter, Penny.
She worked at Zesto’s Drive-in for 17 years and Dogwood Gifts Baskets and Florist for 11 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Edward Atkinson and Mary Jane Odom; brothers, Johnny Atkinson and Eddie Atkinson; father of her children, Dale Richard Smith; and sons, Edward Michael Floyd and Timothy Stephen Smith.
She is survived by her children, John (Diana) Smith of Tucson, Ariz., Janet (Robert) Knight of Thomasville, Ga. and Penny (Victor) Betts of Whittier; eight grandchildren, Penny (Kenny) Glass of Moultrie, Ga., John Smith of Tucson, Ariz., Heather (Dilawar) Rodrigues of Thomasville, Ga., Julie Smith of Tucson, Ariz., Denise Dukes of Putney, Ga., Heidi Smith of Tuscon, Ariz., Daniel Betts of Tucson, Ariz., and Tanner Betts of Whittier; seven great grandchildren, Nicole and Nicholas Glass, Meredith and Jayden Rodrigues, R.J., Pearson and Isabella Dukes; and several nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends on Friday, May 13 from 6-8pm at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at East Side Baptist Church on Saturday, May 14 at 2pm. Rev. J. Tim Robson and Dr. Ed Kilgore to officiate and interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Barwick, Ga.
A memorial service will be held at 6pm on Sunday, May 22 at Acquoni Baptist Chapel in Cherokee. Rev. Ed Kilgore will officiate.