Mrs. Virginia Jean Smith, 89, of Hartwell, widow of the late Marcus T. Smith, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at her home.

Born on January 24, 1923 in Arlington, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Hubert "Burt" Francis and Paula Fett Prendergast.She was a retired seamstress for The Hartwell Company, and a member of Bethany Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith was also a member of the Nancy Hart Chapter OES #398, the VFW Ladies Auxillary and a Gold Star Mother of PFC Galen Smith who was killed in Vietnam.

Survivors include one son, Gordon Smith and his wife, Linda of Starr, SC;four daughters: Paula Plumley and her husband Dean of Easley SC, Teresa Vagle and her husband Pete of Pensacola, Florida, Adriene Cohn and her husband, Gary of Easley, SC, and Irene Smith of Athens, GA;seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive.Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one son, PFC Galen Smith, US Army.

Private graveside services will be held Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Nancy hart Memorial Park with Rev. Rodney Graham officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell.In lieu of flowers, special memorials can be made to the Hart County Humane Society, PO Box 1062, Hartwell, GA30643 or to the Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Rd. Suite 100, Silver Springs, Maryland20910.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.