Martha Pope Smith died February 21, 2019 at Hospice of LaGrange. She was 83. Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gordon M. “Sweetpea” Smith; her son Gordon M. “Skip” Smith, Jr. and wife, Julie; her son, James Sykes Smith and wife, LeTisha; four grandchildren, Henry Smith, Olivia Smith, Gordon M. “Trent” Smith III and Mary Frances Smith, all of LaGrange. She was the daughter of the late Doris Parker and Frank Sykes Pope and preceded in death by her son, George Parker Smith, and sister, Lila Pope Crittenden.
Born in Villa Rica, she was a 1953 graduate of Villa Rica High School and 1957 graduate of Auburn University where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Following graduation, Mrs. Smith taught in the Atlanta School System for two years before moving to LaGrange to teach at Southwest LaGrange. After their marriage in 1960, the Smiths resided in Auburn where she taught in the Alabama school system while her husband completed pharmacy school at Auburn University. In the summer of 1962, they moved back to LaGrange. While raising three sons, she helped at the family drug store, enjoyed attending her boys’ activities and participated in several local organizations. Mrs. Smith was past president of the Talisman Garden Club and Elms and Rose Garden Council, a member of First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, and an avid bridge and mahjong player. Her greatest joy was watching her sons raise their families.
Visitation will be Monday, February 25, 2019 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Stiffler Hamby Mortuary and a funeral service will be held 11:00am Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at First United Methodist Church of LaGrange. A Private Family Interment will follow in Shadowlawn Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, Hospice LaGrange, or the West Georgia Heart Association.
Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.
Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636
