Rheta A. Smith (Hovey) - Obituary

I'm sorry to have to report another passing in our family. Rheta Smith, who was married to Aunt Mary's son, John, has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you to Mary Beth for letting us know. Here is Rheta's obituary.


Mrs. Rheta A. Smith (Hovey)
November 23, 1933 - March 13, 2012

Visitation:
March 18, 2012 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Williamson Funeral Home
1405 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, IL 62650

Services:
March 19, 2012 11:00am
Williamson Funeral Home
1405 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, IL 62650

Rheta A. Smith, 78, of Jacksonville, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, Alabama, with her family by her side. She was born November 23, 1933, in Loami, the daughter of Russell and Grace Johnson Hovey. She married John E. Smith on December 23, 1952 at Union Baptist Church near Pisgah, and he survives. She is also survived by four children, Robin (husband, Neil) Snelling, Rusty Smith, Doug (wife, Christy) Smith, and Susan (husband, Timm) Pennell, all of Jacksonville; nine grandchildren, Matt (wife, Aimee) Snelling, Ally and Andy Smith, Brandon (wife, Heather) and Andrew Miller, Adam Logue, Holly, Ethan, and Dillon Pennell; four great-granddaughters, Grace and Katie Snelling, Amelia Pennell, and Taylor Miller; four sisters, Virginia Edwards of Springfield, Joyce (husband, Jim) Crawford of Springfield, Martha Pippin of Greenview, and Kay (husband, Larry) Price of Springfield; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Roger D. Hovey (surviving wife Janet of Springfield). Mrs. Smith graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. She worked for Jacksonville School District #117 for twenty-five years, most of those years as the school secretary at North Jacksonville Elementary. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Jacksonville. Mrs. Smith was a loving wife, devoted mother, and doting grandmother. She and John enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and their summers at the lake. When her children needed her, she was always there to give her love and support. She was the #1 Fan at each of her grandchildren’s sporting and school events. Rheta cherished her friends and family. She looked forward to her monthly “sisters luncheon”, enjoyed keeping in touch with her high school girlfriends, loved getting together with the same bunco group for over fifty years, and playing Scrabble, cards, or lawn games with the many friends she made while camping and traveling. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 19, 2012, at Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Centenary United Methodist Church. Condolences may be left to the family online at www.airsman-hires.com.