Vema Jo Smith

Vema went home to meet her Lord and Savior, Wednesday February 10, 2016 surrounded by her family, in her home in Dallas, Texas. Vema was born October 22, 1930 in Malakoff, Texas. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years Ben Smith, her parents Jack and Grace Rogers, brothers Maynard and Billy Jack Rogers, and granddaughter Kathy Elaine Smith. Survived by son Stan and wife Kathy Smith, son Randy and wife Jennifer, daughter Kerri and husband Dave, daughter Terri and husband Mark. 7 grandchildren, Cory and wife Lori, Traci and husband Ryan, Casey and wife Amber, Justin and wife Shannon, Ashley and husband Stephen, Courtney and husband David and Jacob. 9 great grandchildren, Cohen, Mason, Carter, Chaney, Chezley, Aubrey, Leo, Sydney, Avery and 1 on the way. Adopted family Joe, Yonne, Nick and Natalie Chong. Brothers J.C. Rogers and Royal Rogers, sister Zelda Bruns and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vema moved to Dallas in 1948 and began working for Sears Roebuck & Company. She attended Buckner Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove where she met the love of her life, Ben. They married on January 20, 1950 and two years later they started their family. Vema was a homemaker for a number of years while raising their children. The family moved to Duncanville in 1964 and joined Northside Baptist Church (Faith). She began assisting Ben in their home building business in the 70’s-80’s. She was a former basketball player and never missed the games of her four children for 14 years. Vema was a Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, sponsored numerous mission trips, hosted countless Sunday night youth fellowships and loved singing duets with Ben at church. Her hobbies included bowling, sewing, playing 42 with friends and family, traveling the U.S. with the Hamlins and going to Minnesota to visit her sister, playing piano, arranging flowers and cooking. She was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks fan. She was always willing to help family or a friend in need.

During their retirement years they moved to the Roger’s family farm in Athens, TX enjoying the country life and its tranquility. She loved living near her brothers and other family members on the farm. Vema and Ben returned to Duncanville in 2010. This is where she lived out her life surrounded by her loving family.

Family will receive friends from 2-4 PM on Sunday February 14, 2016 at David Clayton and Sons. Funeral Services will be 2 PM Monday February 15, 2016 at Faith Baptist Church, 111 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, TX 75116 (972-298-0528) with Rev. Jason Hilliard and Rev. Don Hendrickson officiating. Interment will follow at Little Bethel Memorial Park where she will be laid to rest beside her husband Ben Smith.