Georgia Mae (Lanier) Smith

Georgia Lanier Smith was born March 4, 1950 in Anniston, Alabama to George L. and Mary T. Lanier. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. R. J. White. She remained a loyal and faithful member and was in regular attendance until being called from her earthly home to live with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She served in many capacities at Friendship starting immediately after baptism by serving on the Usher Board and later by singing in the choir. She was united in the bonds of holy matrimony to Harvey L. Smith.

Mrs. Smith was a product of the Anniston City School System. Her educational journey started at the age of five at the Seventeenth Street Missionary Baptist Church Kindergarten. She attended Cooper Avenue Elementary School and Cobb Avenue High School, where she graduated. Following high school, she attended Talladega College where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1973. She also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1973.

Following her graduation from Talladega College, she immediately started her career at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Alabama as a classroom teacher. Her educational journey continued while teaching and she earned her Master’s Degree in 1977. While dedicating twenty-eight years of her life to the betterment of “her children,” Mrs. Smith worked in the classroom and coached the Track and Field team and cheerleaders. During her time as the track and field coach, the team won the state championship in 1994. She remained at Jacksonville High School until her retirement in 2001.

Mrs. Smith was an instructor at the Gadsden Job Corps from 2002 until 2013. She then became an instructor at Gadsden State Community College from 2013 until 2017.

On Sunday November 12, 2023, Georgia Lanier Smith heard the voice of Jesus saying “Come unto me…and I will give you rest.” She gladly answered. She was a beloved daughter, mother, wife, sister, grandmother, teacher, and friend. She was preceded in death by:  her son, Dion Montez Glover; her parents, George and Mary Lanier; her sister, Sandra Lanier Gunter; her uncle, George Moss; and her aunt, Carrie Alice Walters.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, whom she loved dearly, Harvey L. Smith; her two stepchildren, RoShawn A. Smith of Oxford, Alabama and Dr. Jasma K. Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; three step-grandchildren, Lessa Williams, JaKaylia Smith (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.) of Nashville, Tennessee, A’Mir J Smith of Oxford, Alabama; one step great-grandson of Nashville, Tennesse; her nephew, Roy (Chartiece) Gunter of Trussville, Alabama; her niece, LaRoyia (George) Smitherman of Jacksonville, Alabama; her sister-in-law, Ann Pearson of Lincoln, Alabama; her brothers-in-law, Bobby Smith of Lincoln, Alabama and Leroy Gunter of Weaver, Alabama; and a host of other relatives, friends and former co-workers.

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