Geneva Redden Smith, 94, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2014 after a brief illness at Tuomey Hospital.

Born on April 22, 1919 in Atlanta, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Alonzo ‘Lonnie’ Redden and the late Julia ‘Lonie’ Carpenter Redden. Mrs. Smith was a graduate of Spartanburg High School prior to her family’s move to Sumter. Her marriage of 62 years to her beloved Frank led the two of them to live in various southern states including North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia before their return home to Sumter in 1986. An active and faithful member of a number of churches over the years, Geneva served the Lord in many ways, most recently as a Sunday School teacher of 2nd and 3rd graders until the age of 92. She loved children and led many to know Jesus as their personal savior. Her many church activities included the Cradle Roll, visiting new parents with an engraved Bible and rose; Sunbeams; Mission Friends; and the WMU, Women’s Missionary Union. As a Tuomey Volunteer she delivered mail to patients and visited with the sick. Her rich long life served as an inspiration to all who knew her and enjoyed her warm smile.

Surviving is a daughter, her only child, Anita Louise Smith Vaughn of Sumter; a granddaughter, Monica Charlene Revels and her husband Chris of Rock Hill; a grandson, Charles Eric Vaughn of Charleston; and one great granddaughter, Isabella Geneva Revels of Rock Hill; nieces, Brenda Broughton Gregory (Tom), Lila Broughton Payne (Al), and Nora Broughton Kurzenberger (George); and nephews, John Allen ‘Johnny’ Watt, Jr. (Martha) all of Sumter. Nieces from out of town are Kathleen Hudnall Ozberk (Engin) of Saskatchewan, Canada; Sandra Smith Greene (Mike) of Greensboro, NC; Susan Smith Land (Lane) of Seneca, SC; nephews David Redden (Jan) of Texas; Curtis Redden of Mississippi and Charles Redden of Missouri.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband Frank Whilden Smith; as well as her brother, Leon Redden of Hartsville; and her two sisters, Corrine Redden Watt and Dorothy Redden Broughton both of Sumter.

Funeral services will be held at 3 pm Sunday in the chapel of Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Shumake and Dr. Steve Williams officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 pm at the funeral home prior to the service and at other times at the home, 3065 Tara Drive.

Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church /Operation Christmas Child Fund or to Hospice Care of Tri-County, 1236-B Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

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