Jeffrey Dianne Waldrop Smith, 71, of Tifton died Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Stephen Webb and Rev. Paula Lewis will officiate with burial to follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 19, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Smith was born on March 8, 1943 in Tift County and was the daughter of Felton Alvin Waldrop and Georgia Anne Norman Waldrop, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Mono “Buddy” Smith, Jr., who died November 24, 2013; and one son, Joseph Mono Smith, III. She was a career educator; she taught high school English at Tiftarea Academy and middle school English and gifted education at Turner County Middle School. She was also a restaurant owner and caterer. She received her Bachelors degree from Valdosta State University and her Masters degree from the University of Georgia. While attending Valdosta State University, she was president of Kappa Delta Sorority.
Mrs. Smith was a member of the Dogwood Garden Club, where she was president of the local club and District and State Chairman of Special Events. She was also a member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). She was active at Tifton’s First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Beacon Sunday school class and helped prepare for Club 55. She grew up as a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Tifton, where she was president of the youth group, played the piano for church and taught Sunday school.
Mrs. Smith is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Monica Hart and Dr. David Hart of Amarillo, Texas; and one grandson, Jeremy Hart.