Gerri Smith was a guiding force and a loving wife and mother to her family, but God took her on to Heaven one week away from her 79th birthday, suddenly and unexpectedly, and just one week after the death of her beloved husband, Robert, to whom she was married for nearly 56 years. Born in Leslie, West Virginia, Gerri (Mom) survived the Depression years, along with two sisters and two brothers, and a bout with polio, as she was raised in Craigsville, West Virginia by her hardworking father, Spurgeon, a stonemason and coal miner, and her equally hardworking mother, Ila. That same work ethic was instilled in Mom, and it served her well for the six decades after her graduation from Richwood High School, and like her mother, Mom could grow a garden, make clothes and quilts by hand, can and preserve food and make the best blackberry cobbler one could ever hope to taste. Gerri left for California and a brief stint as a clothing model; but, dissatisfied with her situation there, she soon returned home briefly to Craigsville, before joining her sister, Leona, in Toledo, Ohio, where they both worked as beauticians and cosmetologists. It was during this time that Gerri met the man she would love and marry and raise her family with, as she assumed the heavy duty and burdens and the adventure and rewards that coincide with being a career military wife. Geraldine A. Smith was preceded in death by her son, Timothy Smith, and sister, Rajean Hughes Dodrill. She leaves behind a sister, Leona Hughes, and two brothers, Willard Hughes and Bland Hughes, and three sons, Kevin, Sean and Justin. Other survivors include two granddaughters, Kelli Smith Mullen and Jessica Mandrell, and a grandson, Cameron Smith, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and five great - grandchildren. Mom eventually became an accomplished artist. She painted wonderful landscapes and beautiful ballet scenes such as her expression of Swan Lake. Mom loved God, America and her family. She was saddened to see the recent direction the people had taken America. She loved listening to Pastor John Hagee, and she hoped and prayed that America might would turn back towards and restore its Judeo-Christian principles that so many currently seek to destroy. She believed this would be a huge step towards saving our nation. Mom had a laugh that was so much fun to hear, that one had to laugh along with her. And, she had a heart as big as her laugh. She will be missed terribly by us all. We love you Mom. Visitation will be at Woodfin Memorial Chapel Murfreesboro, Tennessee Friday from 5:00pm until time of service at 7:00pm. Condolences and memories maybe shared with the family at www.woodfinchapel.com