Edna Louise Smith
Edna Louise Welte Smith, age 73, loving wife and mother, absent from the body, and present with the Lord, passed away Tuesday, March 25, at Methodist Medical Center.
She was born Nov. 9, 1940, in Wolfe County, Ky., to Martin and Maude Welte.
She was valedictorian of her high school class and graduated from Berea College in 1962, where she met her husband Elmer Smith, a fifth grade teacher in the Oak Ridge school system for many years. They were married Aug. 6, 1961, at Danforth Chapel in Berea, Ky.
Mrs. Smith taught school for three years before moving to Oak Ridge, where she was director of Jack and Jill Childcare Center for nine years. She was a faithful member of Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, where she taught Sunday School and was involved in many other activities at the church.
Mrs. Smith was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
In addition to her husband of 52 years, Mrs. Smith is survived by three sons, Philip Smith of Oak Ridge, Matthew Smith and wife Lynn, of Knoxville, and Andrew Smith and wife Lauren, of Nashville; five grandchildren, Rachel, Anna, Ryan, Nathanael, and Taliah; three sisters, Viola Redman of Oak Ridge, Mary Hartmann of Mount Vernon, Ind., and Marteen Vann of Oliver Springs; and two brothers, Ed Welte of Lake City and Jack Welte of Newburg, Ind.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will follow at 8 p.m. with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating. Family and friends will gather on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park for a graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Parkinson’s support group of East TN at their website www.Pkhopeisalive.org or mailed to PK Hope Is Alive, 117 New Haven Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
An on line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.
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