Velma Evelyn Smith age 95 of Wauchula went to be with the Lord on February 27, 2014, She was born July 14, 1918 in Savannah, TN and moved to Hardee County in 1949 coming from Florence, Alabama. Early in life Velma worked at M&O Cannery Plant later she worked for the Palmetto Clinic as a Dietician working her way up to becoming a Nurse. She then worked as Dr. Banks s personal Nurse until going to work for and later retiring from Hardee Memorial. Velma was a devoted member of Faith Temple Church of God. All of her life, Velma Smith was very dedicated and active in her church and the community. This included being a member of the Willing Workers Band, Ladies Ministry Supporter, and a Sunday School teacher. She was also a prayer warrior for her Pastors and her Church. She had a "gift of encouragement". Because she cared about people and was concerned when they were not in church, she would call them and encourage them to get back in church. This became her ministry in her later years. Up until about 3 years ago, she would visit people at their homes to love, support, and encourage them. She would say, "She was to visit the old people". She was faithful in her support and attendance. She attended every service, revival meeting, and every other event of the church. In 2005, she began volunteering at the Cutting Edge Food Center in Zolfo Springs. She loved helping people. Ministers and pastors in the Church of God from all over respected her greatly. She was a dedicated and righteous Woman of God and a person everyone loved as she showed love to people from all over Hardee County, Florida. Velma was preceded in death by her husband John D. Smith; and her parents John A. & Minnie Belle Franks. She is survived by four sons Earl Smith and his wife Diana of Bowling Green, Robert Smith and his wife Ara-mae of Wauchula, Jim Smith and his wife Ginny of Santa Maria, CA, Wendell G. Smith and his wife Tyina of Wauchula; five daughters Dimple Tillman and her husband Charles of Wauchula, Joyce Cook of Wauchula, Carolyn Hines and her husband Fred of Eustis, Debbie DeGeus and her husband Doug of California Hot Springs, CA, Patsy Adams and her husband Kenny of Wauchula; one brother John A. Franks, Jr. of Huntsville, AL. nine grandsons; thirteen granddaughters; thirty-seven great-grandchildren and fourteen great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:00am Tuesday, March 04, 2014 at Florida s First Assembly of God in Wauchula with Services following at 11:00AM. Officiating will be her son Pastor Wendell Smith of Faith Temple Church of God, Pastor Jeff Fowler of Florida s First Assembly of God, and her grandson Pastor Billy Newell of Faith Assembly of God. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up. "Velma Smith Memorial Fund" Faith Temple Church of God 701 N. 7th Ave Wauchula, FL 33873 863-773-3800 www.faithfilledchurch.com. Online condolences may be made at PongerKaysGrady.com Ponger-Kays-Grady-Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Wauchula has been entrusted with the arrangements.