Mrs. Velna M. Smith, 81, of LaGrange, GA peacefully passed away early Sunday morning from Wellstar West Georgia Hospice.

Mrs. Smith was born December 25, 1937 in Clay County, AL to the late K.C. Messer and Ida Mae Pence Messer. For a Number of Years, she was a Monitor on Special Needs buses for the Troup County School System. Mrs. Velna was the epitome of “lady-like”—she had a gentle nature, a smile on her face, and a song on her lips. Her love for family and friends was without equal. She was her happiest humming and rocking grandbabies, feeding and entertaining her loved ones at their home by the lake, attending church on Sundays and being a devoted wife to the love of her life, Ken. Ken and Velna built a beautiful life and legacy together over a span of 63 years. Their story began as teenagers when Ken saw her and thought she was the “prettiest thing he ever saw”—and then proceeded to steal bites of her popcorn at the drive-in movie theater. They were married 6 months later. It was a perfect beginning to a beautiful lifelong love story. Even though Mrs. Velna is no longer with us in her physical body, her spirit will live on. Her love and gentle kindness will never be forgotten by any who knew her. The world will forever be a sweeter place for her having lived in it. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers and one grandson, Jacob.

Those left to cherish her memory, her husband, Kenneth M. Smith, Sr.; children, Ken Smith, Jr., Rhonda (Bruce) Wilson, and Ricky (Sheri) Smith; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two sisters, Loree Worley and Deane Carlson; a dear friend of the family, Jerry Thornton; several other relatives and friends.

The Gathering of Family and Friends will be Monday, August 26, 2019 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary. A private family interment will be held in Restlawn Memory Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to West Georgia Hospice in memory of Velna M. Smith.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636. www.shlagrange.com.