Born September 25, 1935 in Forrest County, MS, she was the daughter of the late James Talmadge Smith and Minnie Mae Stewart Smith.
In addition to her parents, her husband of 15 years, Herbert Mencke, 3 brothers and 1 sister preceded her in death.
A devoted Christian and dedicated member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, Zereda served the Lord in many capacities throughout her entire life.
Zereda was vivacious, bright, and always a lady. She was a pilot, a realtor, manager of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base NCO Club, bookkeeper for a psychiatric practice group, and served as the only human resources manager for Hamilton County, the largest county in the state of New York. Zereda also served as the chair of the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
Zereda is survived by her daughter, Beth Prewitt and husband, Ray of Taylorsville; son, Alan A. Schoonover and wife Angela of Hudson; grandchildren, Riley Schoonover and Anna Prewitt; and sister, Dollie Sumrall of Ft. Walton Beach FL.
A Committal Service and Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday April 16, 2018 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, with a reception to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church.