Marietta Smith, 88, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed from this life
into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, December 18,
2021 following an unexpected illness. Born August 16, 1933 in
Bedford, IN to Ralph and Blanche Spangler, their family moved to
Corbin, KY and then to Louisville, KY where she met and married
Jerry Smith. They lived in Bardstown, Ky where Jerry set up
dental practice before their call to missionary work in Rhodesia
(Zimbabwe), Africa. They served there together as medical
missionaries for many years. Upon return to the US, she and
Jerry have lived in Florida and Kentucky and most recently moved
to Ohio.
In Africa, Marietta served as the radio operator at Mashoko
Christian Mission Hospital and taught Bible classes at Jairus Jiri,
a home for children with disabilities in Harare. She enjoyed going
out into the villages and being among the Mashona people. She
served on the board of Kentuckiana Christian Mission and was a
faithful member at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville.
Since moving to Ohio, she became a member at the Worthington
Christian Church and enjoyed being in the Good News Bible
Class.
Marietta is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Dr. Jerry
Smith; son, Dr. Robert Alan (Karen) Smith of Bardstown, KY; son,
David (Ada) Smith of Bardstown, KY; and daughter Carolyn (Tom)
Sherrod of Lewis Center, Ohio; grandchildren, Amie (Dr. David)
Robertson; Brent (Britney) Smith; Ryan Smith; Lauren (Adam)
Fish; Timothy Sherrod; Mark (Kathleen) Sherrod; James Sherrod;
Joy (Addison) Fehl; and fourteen great grandchildren. Marietta
was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Blanche
Spangler; her brother Wayne Spangler and many beloved aunts
and uncles and cousins.
Marietta loved the Lord and her family. She enjoyed singing,
whistling, cooking, sewing and gardening. Her gift of hospitality
brought many wonderful people into their lives. She never met a
stranger and had an adventurous spirit. Marietta and Jerry
enjoyed many happy memories travelling the world together. She
will be greatly missed, but we are comforted that she is with her
Lord.
Her Funeral Service will be 11:30 am Tuesday December 28, 2021 at Nelson Christian Church in Bardstown, KY, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville. Visitation will be 10 - 11:30 am Tuesday December 28 at Nelson Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers gifts in her honor may be made to:
Kentuckiana Christian Mission
P.O. Box 1955
Louisville, KY 40209
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