The funeral service for Genever Yates Pettis Smith, age 95 of Wadley (formally of Clay County), will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 11:00 A.M., at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland with the Bro. Paul Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at the Olive Branch Baptist Church Cemetery in Lineville, AL.
Mrs. Smith passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 in Talladega, AL. She was born in Barfield, AL, on March 14, 1927. Genever spent much of her life in Clay County, AL. She worked at Southland Manufacturing in Ashland and Clegg Manufacturing in Wadley. She enjoyed quilting for her family and friends, taking care of flowers, working in her yard, hosting guests, and dancing with friends (especially her long time friend, the late Ottis Yates). She was a faithful Christian and a member of Wadley Baptist Church in Wadley, AL.
Genever is survived by 4 daughters: Carolyn Erskin of Talladega, Martha Bradford (Dale) of Ashland, Linda Hickman (Robert) of Talladega, and Maudine Barker of Talladega; Ten grandchildren: Kenneth Rush, Kristina Rush, Kerri Bradford, Kevin Bradford, Adam Hartley, Tony Hickman, Mandy Isbell, Sandy West, Lee Brand, and Stephanie Griffin; 27 greatgrandchildren; 4 Great Great Grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, and one sister-in-law, Nancy Yates.
Genever was preceded in death by her parents Authur C and Ettie Yates, her first husband Henry Pettis, her second husband Bill Smith, her daughter Mary Ann Morgan, her son Henry Pettis Jr., six brothers: Abra, Albert, Edward, Cloyse, Clayton, and Willis Yates, and three sisters: Edna Fincher, Ethel Schwalenberg, and Lavida Childs.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Brian Bradford, Kevin Bradford, Lee Brand, Scotty Griffin, Adam Hartley, Tony Hickman, Kenneth Rush.
The family will receive friends at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland on Friday, December 16, 2022 from 10:00 A.M., until service time at 11:00 A.M.
