Bedella Smith

CHARLESTON -- Bedella Smith, 90, died Dec. 2, 2012, at her home.

Born June 7, 1922 in West Helena, Ark., to the late Sam and Stella Green Walker, she was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Henson where she served as an usher.

On Sept. 25, 1938, she married Thatus A. Smith who preceded her in death Sept. 8, 1997.

She is survived by: six sons and three daughters-in-law, Luther and Melverta Smith of Carlyle, Ill., James and Sharon Smith of Centralia, Ill., Thatus and Maxine Smith Jr. of Omaha, Neb., Jewel Smith of Peoria, Ill., Gary Smith of Pinckneyville, Ill., and Larry Smith of Arlington, Texas; seven daughters and three sons-in-law, Thelma Smith and Stella Smith of Carlyle, Carliss and Henry Sager of Charleston, Shirley and Nathaniel Burke of Aurora, Ill., Linda and Milen Suggs of Centralia, Fannie Smith of Wyatt and Irene Acoff of St. Louis; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Drinkwater Auditorium. The Rev. William Whitman, pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Carlyle, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston with the Williams Funeral Home of Charleston in charge of arrangements.