Nellie Marie Maitland Gaia, age 78, of the Malesus community, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.She was born on February 25, 1946 in Bemis, TN to the late Frances Lovett Maitland and Earl Maitland. Her maternal grandparents were Monette Malachi Lovett and Eula Mae (Ellis) Lovett. Her first husband, Herbert D. Hurst, father of her son, Herbert, Jr., passed away on July 8, 1994. Her beloved husband, Lawrence Gaia preceded her in death on January 21, 2015.
She is survived by her sons, Herbert D. Hurst, Jr. “Herbie” and his children, Herbert D. Hurst III “Trey”, Jessica Hurst, and Jared Hurst; and Michael A. Smith and his children, Dyllan Walker and Baylee Smith; her sister, Bobbie Maitland Mims; several cousins, several nieces and nephews, several great neices and nephews and several great great nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are her stepson, Richard Gaia (Beverly) of Gallatin, TN and stepdaughter, Maria Gaia-Goff (Keith) of Boaz, Kentucky.
A service to celebrate the life of Nellie Gaia will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with burial following in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends beginning at 9 a.m., two hours prior to the service.
