Viola Smith

Mrs. Viola Fort Smith was born June 6th,1953 to William Gillespie Fort and Willie Mae Fort in Vaiden, Mississippi, Carol County. She was one of nine children; of whom two sisters and one brother preceded her in death and both Parents On May 27,1971 she graduated from Vaiden High School. During the summer of the same year 1971, Viola moved to Indianapolis, IN where she resided and made that journey with her sister Ella Ruth Fort. Viola Fort wanted to pursue a college degree in teaching which was halted due to the untimely death of her sister Ella Ruth coming back on an airplane from her honeymoon.

On November 1,1975 Viola was united in marriage to Mr. William Martin Smith Sr. and to this union they had one son and three daughters. This marriage was blessed for 46 years with a vowel renewal ceremony at their 43th anniversary. In 1980 Viola surrendered to God’s will by putting on Christ at Kingsley Terrace Church of Christ where she sang in the youth choir and served on the benevolence Ministry comforting families in their time of grief, she served at Youth Sunday Church (Jr.Service). She attended Central Heights Church of Christ and also used her many gifts and talents and stood ready to serve whenever and wherever she was called. Upon leaving Viola attended Inner City Church of Christ where she was honored as the, “Mother of the Church '', she was honored on that day where her church family all brought up flowers, stuffed animals, gift cards, and money, but she was most thankful for those hugs. Viola loved and cherished her church family and her church family loved and cherished her as well. Inner City Church Of Christ was and will forever be her church where she was an active member until her untimely passing.

Mrs. Viola Smith was a stay at home mother until she went to work at Kingsley Terrace Church of Christ with Ms.Agnes Gee. Viola’s job was simple, to do what she loved to do: cooking and preparing breakfast, lunch and snacks for the children. Those kids ate GOOD! When she had the opportunity to leave, Viola became an entrepreneur to Vi’s Cakes and Pies and also worked with Dad at Dollar Bill’s Custom T-Shirts. Throughout Viola’s life her main job was being a loving mother, grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

Mrs. Viola Smith was the true definition of the virtuous woman. She was very devoted to her family and welcomed others with open hands, a huge smile, open heart, and if you were lucky some cookies or a piece of cake. “Momma Smith '' as she was often referred to by many, loved to cook. Each dish she made you know she put a piece of her in it. This is why it was SO GOOD! No recipes needed just deep old fashion roots, and LOVE. Peach Cobbler and Strawberry Cheesecake Perfect every time. Viola’s top cakes were her Lemon Glazed Cake and Caramel Cakes. #1 Pie Sweet Potato. Viola also catered several events, Baked Wedding Cakes, and Specialty Birthday Cakes.

While Earth lost an angel, Heaven gained an angel. On Thursday, January 20, 2022 when Mrs. Viola Smith went from labor to reward at the age of 68. She was united with those that had gone on before her: William Martin Smith Jr. (son) William Fort (Father) Willie Mae Fort (Mother), Ella Ruth (Sister), Ethel Mae (Sister), Willie Lewis (Brother) Elsie B Smith (Mother-in-Law) and a host of others she holds dear. She will surely be missed by many, but there is a piece of her that lives on in all that she touched.

She leaves to cherish her blessed memory: her loving husband William M. Smith Sr.and loving Daughters, Lorrie A. Smith, KaRonna E. Smith, LaDonna L. McLaurin (Mark). Step-Daughter Lorraine Love. Brothers: Lewis G. Fort (Wanda) of Temple, Texas, William G. Fort Jr. of Minneapolis, Minnesota Sisters: Mary J. Roberts (Albert) of Lakeland, Florida, Shirley D. Thomas of Vaiden, Mississippi, Dorothy J. Fort of Vaiden, Mississippi. She also leaves to cherish in-laws; Lynette Smith (George Sr-deceased), Karen Guyton, Mary-Helen Nolan, Michael Smith, Keith Smith, Rebecca Thompson, Ronald Smith, Charles Smith. She also is remembered by her 14 Grandchildren; Devon Bonds, Chris Love, Jordan Love (Greg), De’juan Smith, De’jean Phelps, Darion Howard (Jasmine), Myisha Little, Eddrice Weaver, Jayden Phelps, Keiara Weaver, Keimari Weaver, Marlee McLaurin, Wililam Jefferson III, Mackenzee McLaurin, 9 great grandchildren and one on the way. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and close friends to cherish her memories.