Edna Vardaman Smith was born on April 10, 1919, in Fayetteville. She was the daughter of Porter Ratlief Vardaman and Gertrude Childress Vardaman. She was the wife of the late Lester Howell Smith, and was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Dr. Frances Lester Smith.
A graduate of Bessemer High School and Wheeler College, she worked for the War Department at Alabama Ordnance as administrative assistant to the commanding officers during World War II.
Mrs. Smith was the past president of Decatur Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Decatur Culture Club, and Stocks a Million Investment Club. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, as well as the Southern Conference of Methodist Women.
A former member of the Morgan County Junior League, Mrs. Smith was also a member of the Decatur Cotillion Club.
She is survived by her nieces, Kay Porter Phillips, Mary Charles Vardaman Capp, Linda Vardaman Heller, Rosemary Vardaman Luquire and Gerry Lynn Vardaman. Her nephews include Thomas Vardaman, Porter Vardaman and Jon Vardaman. Great-nieces are Kathryn Keane, Fair Phillips Franklin, MistiKay Phillips, Tracie Heller, Julie Tarra, Heidi Heller Spehn, Nealy Vardaman Atkins and Lauren Vardaman.
Great-nephews are Christopher Ivey, Mark Luquire, Michael Ivey, Christopher Heller, Matthew Luquire and Zachary Vardaman.
Mrs. Smith is survived by great-great-nieces, Kathryn Porter Franklin, Penelope Heller and Brianna Luquire. Great-great-nephews are Samuel Fosnaught, Jacob Fosnaught, Harrison Franklin, Jesie Phillips-Sorraco, Max Emmett Franklin and Walker Atkins.
Mrs. Smith is also survived by many beloved friends, especially James, June and Melanie Odom; and Ross Malone and his family.
Pallbearers are her nephews, great-nephews and great-great-nephews. Honorary pallbearers are James Odom, Ross Malone, Clinton Malone, John Black, Gilbert Crane, William Capp, Arthur Luquire, Peter Nolan, Michael Keane and the United Methodist Women of Decatur First United Methodist Church.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26th, in the parlor of Decatur First United Methodist Church. The funeral will follow there at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Florence City Cemetery at 2 p.m. in the afternoon of the 26th. Shelton Funeral Home is coordinating the services.
Conducting the services will be the new pastor of Decatur First United Methodist Church, Dr. Hughey Reynolds. Words of Commendation will be given by Dr. Rudy Guess, former pastor of Decatur First United Methodist Church.
The family requests no flowers. Donations may be made in Mrs. Smith’s memory to favorite Decatur charities.
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