Ada LaVelle Davis Smith departed this life on February 17, 2023 at the age of 104.
She was born to Bruno and Orbie Davis of Doweltown, in the Snow Hill Community.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Will Herman Smith II; son, Will Herman Smith III; brothers, TB Davis, Don Davis, Charles Davis, and sister, Elizabeth Driver.
LaVelle is survived by her daughter, Mary Rosalyn Mills (Tom); brother, Roger Davis; daughter-in-law, Ann Parrot Smith; grandchildren: Lisa Kelton, Lynn Eaton (Tony), Scott Smith, Lane Edgar (Jake), Andrea Miller (Eric), Anthony Mills (Holly), Bryan Mills (Jamie), and John Mills (Dana); great-grandchildren: Ava, Jillian and Scarlett Kelton; TJ Eaton (Mallory), Taylor Eaton (Trevor), Alison Smith, Ada Miller, Sophia Mills, Nicholas Mills, Tanner Mills, and Mason Mills; great-grandchild, Myles Eaton.
LaVelle was a member of First Baptist Church Smithville since her marriage in 1939. She grew up in the Snow Hill Community of DeKalb County. She graduated from Blue Fountain High School Class of 1937 and Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1939, with degree in Education. She taught grades first thru eighth at Cades Spring School on Indian Creek. Later she became the School Lunch Supervisor for three counties. As life continued, she was a Sunday School teacher, GA leader, Bible School Director, PTA president locally and state, president of Federated Women’s Club, Girl Scout Leader, UT Extension Club, Middle Tennessee Gem and Mineral Club, Fiddlers Jamboree Craft Director for 21 years. LaVelle enjoyed working as an area manager for Field Enterprises Educational Corporation for seven years. She was able to work part-time and also help Will Herman at Smith Electric Shop. In 1967, the family business was suddenly dropped in her lap, after Will Herman’s sudden death. She continued the electrical appliance business until 1969, when she adventured into a fabric business. A few years later, she added antiques and collectibles. Finally at the age of 85 years, LaVelle closed the doors to her business and sold the building in 1996. She hobbies of gardening, digging for gemstones and arrowheads took up her time after retiring. She had an eye for beautiful wood, stones and antiques. She enjoyed Gem and Mineral Shows with her son, Smitty, for many years. Family was the highlight of LaVelle’s life. She was always at Smitty’s and Ann’s table for Sunday lunch with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would tell them her adventures on Center Hill Lake looking for driftwood, and trips in her motor home to Canada and Arizona. Road trips were necessary to visit Mary in North Carolina, South Carolina, and East Tennessee. LaVelle traveled to 49 states with her husband. She loved her trips to Europe, Spain, Mexico and Canada.
The past two years at Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Lenoir City, TN has been an uplifting chapter in LaVelle’s life. She made new friends which energized her mind, along with enjoyment of crafts and music. She always said MP was the perfect place to live at her age. The family greatly appreciates the director, staff, and residents at Morning Pointe for their graciousness and quality care of LaVelle.
Family and friends gathered for a graveside services. on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Smithville Town Cemetery in Smithville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in LaVelle’s memory to the Donelson Lapidary Arts at Senoir Citizens Center in Donelson, TN.
Click Funeral Home, Lenoir City, is in charge of arrangements. Obituary courtesy of DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville.
Smithville Review
(Smithville, Tenn.)
March 1, 2023
