Virginia Smith
East Alton |
Virginia (Dodds) Smith, 98, of East Alton, IL, died at 4:05 a.m. Wed. Jan. 7, 2015 at VIP Manor in Wood River, IL.
She was born Mar. 16, 1916 in Kentucky to the late Thomas & Lena (Fox) Dodds.
She and Omar Thomas Smith Sr. were married in Missouri in 1940 and he preceded her in death on Jun. 14, 1979.
Mrs. Smith was a 1st & 2nd grade elementary school teacher with the Alton School system for many years. She was also a genealogist, crafter, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of the former First Baptist Church of South Roxana, where she enjoyed doing church work and singing with the Sue Bonnet Ladies Quartet. Her skill and love of singing even earned her a scholarship to SIU-Normal where she received a bachelor and master degree.
Survivors include: a daughter and son-in-law, Anne & James Simpson of Lenoir City, TN, a son and 2 daughters-in-law, William Ray & Theresa Smith and Deborah Smith of Bethalto, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Dodds of Edwardsville, IL.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by: a son, “O.T.” Omar Thomas Smith Jr., 2 sisters, Evelyn Ardeuseur and Elizabeth Netzer and 4 brothers, Gordon, Eugene, William & Earl Dodds.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at 10:00 a.m. Fri. Jan. 9, 2015 at Paynic Home for Funerals with Pastor Casey Lawson officiating. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crosspoint Southern Baptist Church.
Online information and guestbook may be found at www.paynicfh.com
Paynic Home for Funerals
