Coretha Smith

Posted on December 23, 2022

Coretha Smith, 90, passed away on Dec. 19, 2022, in Gainesville.

She was born Aug. 28, 1932, in Perry to Charlie Hill and Nannie Mae DeVane Hill.

Coretha was a Baptist and a member of Charity Baptist Church.

In her final years, she was well-known as a surrogate mother to everyone and especially as church mother.

Coretha was preceded in death by: her husband, James D. Smith Sr.; her parents, Charlie Hill and Nannie Mae Hill; mother-in-law, Maggie Franklin; brothers, Roland Hill, Franklin Hill, Eldon Hill, Cecil Hill and Irvin Hill; sisters, Lougenia Hill, Virgie Thames, Shelly Johnson and Lydia Mauer.

Mrs. Smith is survived by: her children, James David Smith Jr. “Jimmy,” Ralph E. Smith, Tammy S. (Stanley) Smith and Lisa G. (Rodney) Green; siblings, William (Christine) Hill, Ronnie Hill and Betty Trussell; and 14 grandchildren; as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, with special recognition to nieces, Frances Edwards, Debbie Young and Sandra Parker who went out of their way to always be there for our mother.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home of Perry with Billy Gipson officiating. Interment services followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family received friends Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 6-8 p.m. At the funeral home.

All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.