Veta Smith Obituary (1921 - 2016)

Veta Smith, 95, of Niles, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Chalet of Niles with her family by her side. Veta was born on May 9, 1921, to the late Henry and Susie Williams in Evening Shade, Arkansas. On November 7, 1942 she married Allison M. Smith at a ceremony in Little Rock, Arkansas. Veta started working as a rural mail carrier at the Edwardsburg post office. She became a postal clerk and also worked in Elkhart and retired from South Bend. She was one of the founders of Ontwa Baptist Church in Edwardsburg and was a member at Bethel Baptist Church in Niles. Veta enjoyed sewing and took pride in her appearance. Allison and Veta's last residence was the old Lacey Schoolhouse in Niles. Together they converted it into their home. The Lacey Schoolhouse was established in 1835 and was the first school house in Berrien County. Veta is survived by her children, Warren (Sharon) Smith, Sally Rockefeller and Douglas (Susan) Smith; grandchildren, Shane (Brook) Smith, Stacey (Jason) Tighe and Ryan (Janice) Smith; great grandchildren, Shaylee and Hunter Smith, Jarrett and Jenalee Tighe and Mayson, Keaton and Madison Smith and sisters, Ernestine Slade, Anna Thacker and Betty (Bill) Weaver. She was preceded in death by her husband on August 14, 1996. Veta was also preceded in death by her brothers, Leniel, Remmel, Tillman, Tasso, Bill and Neil Williams. Funeral services for Veta will be held at 12 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan with Rev. Ronald Brown of Beacon Baptist Church, Niles officiating. Burial will follow at Edwardsburg Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior from 11 am - 12 pm. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com