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Vera Hardin “Maw” Smith, 84, of Elizabethton, went Home to be with her Lord on Saturday morning, January 20, 2024, from Ivy Hall Nursing Home, after an extended illness. She was born in Bartley, W.Va., to the late Auda and Viola Peters Hardin.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Charles Mack Smith; her sisters, Georgia Ellis and Alma “Boe” Williams; four brothers, Charles Hardin, Donald Hardin, Dana Ray Hardin and Olan “Pie” Hardin; her sisters-in-law, Danette Hardin and Lucille Hardin; and her brothers-in-law, Luther Ellis and Maynard Williams.
She leaves a legacy to her two daughters and sons-in-laws, Vickie and Kenny Greer and Gina and Randy Johnson. She dearly loved her five grandchildren, Wes (Mandy) Greer, Aaron (Julie) Greer, Megan (Lance) Harsh, Natalie (Jeremy) Wright and Andy (Sydney) Johnson. She felt so blessed with 10 great-grandchildren, Riley, Hadley, Will and Grady Greer, Neil, Charlie and Benjamin Harsh, Lucas, Ava and Seth Wright. She loved her brother, Doug Hardin; her sisters-in-law, Carol Hardin, Karen Hardin, Kathleen White and Floy Grindstaff and husband Dean; and her brothers-in-law, Lynn Smith and wife Lisa and Jerry Grindstaff and wife Teresa. Vera loved her niece Juanita (Leonard) Lewis like a sister and loved Rev. Bill and Mary Nell Greer and considered them family. She was also blessed with several special nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.
Vera graduated from Unaka High School, Class of 1957.
She was a Social Worker for the Tennessee Department of Human Services for over 25 years. She was also very active in the Blevins Cemetery Association. Vera loved her community and always said “there was no place better than Stoney Creek.”
Vera loved to watch the Andy Griffith Show (black and white episodes only), Fox News, the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, and the Atlanta Braves.
Vera dearly loved her “church family” at New Liberty Freewill Baptist and was the longest living member. She faithfully served as Sunday School Secretary for 43 years and sang in the choir for as long as she was able.
Vera’s greatest success and first priority besides her faith was her family. She was always very involved in their lives creating countless memories and wonderful stories for them to cherish. Her favorite phrase was from Psalm 30:5: “… Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
A service to honor and celebrate the incredible life of Vera Smith will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, at New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Johnson and the Rev. Bill Greer officiating. Singing and music will be provided by The New Liberty Revival Choir and her family. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church, prior to the service.
The graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, at the Blevins Cemetery on Liberty Hollow Road with Pastor Wes Duncan officiating. Active pallbearers will be Wes Greer, Aaron Greer, Andy Johnson, Riley Greer, Lance Harsh and Jeremy Wright. Family and friends will assemble at New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be the Church Family, Trustees and Deacons at New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church, the Church Family at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church, Unaka High School Class of 1957, Senior Adult Sunday School Class, Trustees of Blevins Cemetery, Randy Hardin, Shona Lowe, Rev. Ray Colbaugh, Paul Jones, Eddie Shoun, Leonard Lewis, Curt Gentry, Frank Peters, former co-workers, and her neighbors. Pallbearers and those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The family would like to express a special thank you to Judy and Victor Deloach and the wonderful staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home, her physician, Dr. Beth McCurley, and her special caregivers, Ann Revis, Donna Williams and Jen and Sadie Shoun. Also, a special thanks to Leatha Grindstaff, her beautician for many years. The family also appreciates the many visits, contacts, food, and prayers from her friends and neighbors. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church Pavilion Fund, 113 Peters Hollow Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or the Blevins Cemetery Fund, c/o Darlene Hardin, 322 Opal Brook Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel of Elizabethton is in charge of the arrangements.