Obituaries

Vella Mae Smith

Photo of Vella Mae Smith
Vella Mae Smith of Berryville, Arkansas, was born July 28, 1932, in Rudd, Arkansas, daughter of Ralph and Elva (Alderson) McCollough. She passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 6, 2019, at the age of 86 years. Mae was a devoted pastor's wife who humbly did so much behind the scenes and touched so many people's lives. Early on she took care of the family farm and worked at The Star Progress newspaper. She enjoyed cooking and had many hobbies including sewing, weaving, cross-stitching, crocheting and gardening. She was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's biggest fan, supporting them in everything they were involved in. Mae loved bringing her family together but on Sundays after church for meals was a special time. She was the family matriarch and the bond that held the family together. She was a member of Southern Heights Baptist Church serving many years as the Sunday School secretary. She was also volunteer at Mercy Hospital Auxiliary for 22 years. She was known as being very witty, fashionably dressed and always able to update you on the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games and any Razorback game. Mae's God given ability was to be a caretaker for not only her beloved family but for everyone she came in contact with. On November 12, 1950, she was united in marriage with Dean Smith, who survives her. She is also survived by two daughters, Phyllis Worley and husband, F.L., of Berryville and Debbie Woods of Berryville; two grandsons, Heath Worley and wife, Lisa, of Berryville and Shannon Woods and wife, Melissa, of Berryville; one granddaughter, Heather Smith and husband, Josh, of Berryville; seven great-grandchildren, Austin and Lexi Woods, Ashlin, Kamryn, Brady, Bryce and Gabriella Smith; numerous other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Clay McCollough. Visitation will be Thursday, May 9, 2019, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Charles M. Nelson Memorial Chapel in Berryville. Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Friday, May 10, 2019, at Southern Heights Baptist Church in Berryville with Pastor Scott Cox officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Gobbler Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service.

Published May 9, 2019

Upcoming Events