Reba Gilbert Smith

If Mom were here and could hear me now, I would say to her …

You know I love you dearly, and I have loved the time we have shared, particularly over the past four years. And, in perfect form, you managed to age without me realizing it. Thank-you for trusting me with your care.

Thank-you for sharing your faith, your fearless strength, and your example of what a full and meaningful life looks like. Thank-you for demonstrating how to face any adversity in life with courage, determination, and unwavering faith to overcome, and how to be and stay strong through the midst of it all. Thank-you for teaching me the true and powerful meaning of Agape love, and for teaching me that the most valuable thing you can do in life is to serve others. Thank-you for showing me how to face and endure life in all of its stages, and how to remain forever young in heart and mind. Thank-you for teaching me the value of a job well done, and for voicing your confidence in me, that I would naturally go on to live a full and meaningful life without you; it is a charge I will use to make it so. Sharing our unique and challenging experiences during our last journey together created a bond that has not only made me feel complete, but has also enlightened me to a whole new perspective on life ... a call to a higher place of understanding as to what life truly is, and what it should be about, and a deeper revelation of who God is on so many levels. This journey with you, with all its ups and downs, will be the greatest experience of my life. Thank-you for believing in me, and for loving me in spite of my shortcomings. I love that you ARE, and will always be MY Mom.

You will forever remain in my heart, just a thought and breath away. You will accompany me in my days ahead, with all you are and have taught me. You have not left me, you have only gone home, to a better place, where I know you await my arrival. Thank-you for teaching me God is faithful. Always.

Thanks be to God for the blessing of you.

With all my love, Lisa

Reba Gilbert Smith, age 95, of Lilburn, Georgia, passed away peacefully in her home, with family by her side, on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Born the 7th of 8 children to Joseph and Leila Gilbert, Reba was raised in Hiram, Georgia until the age of 13, when the family moved to Atlanta. Reba became a Christian at the age of nine at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Hiram, and has demonstrated a strong and unwavering faith throughout her entire life. Reba laid a foundation of faith for her two daughters.

In 1944, Reba graduated from Fulton High School in Atlanta, and shortly thereafter joined WWII Women's Army Corp where she served two years in the Signal Corp; she was responsible for sending and receiving coded messages to military personnel in charge of strategic missions. At age 19, Reba met the love of her life, Arthur C. Smith, Jr. at Lakewood Fairgrounds, while he was on leave during WWII; after a two year overseas courtship, they married and enjoyed 63 years together until the time of Arthur’s passing in 2009. Throughout their lives together, they enjoyed attending church, Sunday School, and were active members in the Senior Adult Choir. They enjoyed traveling the U.S. with the Seniors from Lilburn First Baptist, where they maintained their 27+ year membership. When time and opportunity permitted, Arthur and Reba loved spending time with family and friends. Reba lived independently in her own home and continued a self-sufficient lifestyle until she moved in with her daughter, Lisa, at age 91; there she continued her self-sufficient lifestyle until a few months prior to her passing.

Reba worked as a secretary at an Insurance Company, became a stay-at-home-Mom, and later retired at the age of 59 from the Department of Family and Children Services as a Data Management Supervisor. Upon retirement, Reba took the opportunity to truly do what she loved, which was to share her time and talents while serving others. Reba was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Volunteer Services Program at Eastside Medical Center (now Piedmont Eastside Medical Center - Snellville) where, for 10 years, she maintained a lead role as a Volunteer Services Coordinator in Day Surgery; during that time Reba was given the challenge of designing a stained glass window to adorn the Hospital's Chapel entrance; that stain glass window was created and installed, and remains at the Chapel door within the Hospital to this very day. Reba was also an integral part of research conducted by the Women's Health Initiative; she was committed to and contributed input over the course of 30+ years; this research enables the Initiative to develop treatment plans for women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Reba shared her creative talents as a gifted seamstress with the Women’s Missions group; here she participated in making quilts, crocheting and knitting baby clothes for the Crisis Pregnancy Center, making Angel Tree boxes, and sponsoring children in need. Reba would work on countless other projects the Missions group would undertake. While at Lilburn First Baptist, Reba took her roles as a Fourth Grade Sunday school teacher, and later Senior Adult Women’s Sunday school teacher very seriously. She would spend hours every week studying and preparing to teach her Sunday School classes. Reba also taught English as a second language classes for the Church outreach program. Her time spent in the Senior Adult Choir was particularly precious to her. Reba loved praise music, and would sing any chance she got.

Reba was an incredibly well-rounded, creative, insightful, and intellectual individual, with a quick wit and humor that were not only unique, but a treasure to experience. She loved to laugh, and engage others in conversation. She was precise, a perfectionist, with a strong work ethic, and high moral compass. She gave 100% of herself to any task she was charged with, and took a common sense and practical approach to life. Although Reba was a no-nonsense personality with definite opinions, she had a true heart of gold, compassion, and generosity that were beyond compare. Reba would advocate for or help anyone or anything in need. She had a deep love and appreciation of all things nature, from birds, animals, flowers, to the beautiful landscapes she would encounter as she traveled. Reba also enjoyed sketching, drawing, and making her own greeting cards. She has stated in an alternate life she would have enjoyed a career as an architect in residential design. She was an avid reader, and would read anything she could get her hands on. She was a news junkie, and in her later years, loved watching church sermons from the comfort of home. She enjoyed a variety of shows, but anyone who truly knew Reba, knew her that her favorite guilty pleasure was her daytime soaps! She even enjoyed watching American Idol. Reba was also known to keep up with all latest team sports standings. At 91, Reba learned how to use an iPad, where she enjoyed digital coloring, puzzles, word games, watching special interest videos, and would occasionally even send texts. One highlight of her life that she held close to her heart was a trip she shared with a sister, June, to The Holy Land.

Reba's faith was very much a part of her reason why she was able to overcome countless challenges in her life. She was a 30+ year kidney cancer survivor, and at age 94 fully recovered from a hip replacement, and in her final two years battled with determination and grace, a beast called colon cancer; she never complained of her lot, and trusted God's purpose and will for her life. Reba would face a challenge with a "what's the big deal" attitude. There was no challenge she would shy away from, and would never voluntarily give up on anything. Reba had a heart of gratitude, and would often put the needs of others before her own. She was a quick study, had a classic greatest generation adventurous spirit, and could have excelled in any career or endeavor she chose to undertake. If you had a chance to truly connect with her, you would have had an interesting and loyal friend, who could add a bit of insight, humor, and charm to any conversation or outing. She was a quintessential trooper, an intriguing and charming character, an inspiration on many levels, and someone who will be sorely missed.

She is predeceased by her husband, Arthur C. Smith, Jr., and three brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her daughter, Edythe Smith Driesse, (Kevin) of Simpsonville, SC, and daughter, Lisa Smith Houk, (David - aka Dusty) of Sugar Hill, GA.

She is also survived by two grandchildren, Kristen Driesse Mason, (Chris) of Greenville, SC, and Todd Driesse of Prosser, WA.

She is further survived by one great-grandchild, Mary Elizabeth Mason, as well as her brother, William Gilbert, (Pat) of Duluth, GA.

At Reba's request, a small intimate graveside service was held on October 2, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, 3700 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039.

Mom's Favorite Scripture

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.