THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090365
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
On March 6, 1995, Mrs. Leara M. Smith, wife of Bennie Smith Jr., departed this life after a long illness. Mrs. Smith was born on Dec. 17, 1921, in Holander, Miss. Growing up in Jackson, Tenn., she first attended Macedonia Baptist Church and completed her junior year at Lane College. She later devoted more than 30 years at Holy Temple UHC, as a missionary and serving on the Usher Board.
Mother Smith, as she was affectionately known by the members of First Pentecostal UHC, was an active member until she became ill. She is survived by her husband of 47 years; eight children: Juanita Batson of Washington, D.C., Velva Davis, Mamie Roberson, Linda Smith of Norfolk, Va., Charles Smith of Gary, Ind., Albert Smith, Faye Foreman of Virginia Beach, Va., and Bennie Smith III of California. She is also survived by two sons-in-law, George Davis of Norfolk and Cedric Foreman of Virginia Beach. She will also be sorely missed by one aunt, Mary Pulliam of Washington, D.C.; two brothers, Pratt and George Hubbard of Chicago; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday at noon at First Pentecostal Church, located at 1434 Wilson Road in Norfolk, by the Rev. A. Ray Rowson. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. There will be a wake from 7 to 8 Thursday night at Graves Funeral Home. ILLUSTRATION: Personal Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY
by CNB