Vera L. (Hart) Smith

Vera L. Smith (Hart), 85, of Pleasant Lake and formally of Fort Wayne, died Thursday May 30, 2019, at her home surrounded by family.

Born September 11, 1933, in Muncie, Indiana to the late George and Chlora Hart (Idol).  Vera was raised by her step-father Walter Garrett who proceeded her in death.

She married Hollace R. Smith on September 27, 1947, in Georgia, after 70 years of marriage Hollace passed away in December of 2017.

She was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Port Charlotte, Florida.

After returning to school to earn her LPN diploma Vera worked as a Neonatal ICU and med/surg nurse at Lutheran Hospital. She then turned to industrial nursing where she worked at Bowmar Corporation in Fort Wayne and Warner Auburn Gear where she retired.  She also sold Home Interiors and loved helping her customers create their decorating dreams and adding many of them to her list of friends.

Vera was a strong, loving, kind, Godly woman.  She was an amazing teacher to many; from life lessons to Sunday school teacher, and youth leader.  Vera inspired everyone she came in contact with and she knew no stranger.  Her home was open to anyone at any time especially for family dinners.  Her smile was contagious and she made everyone feel love in her presence.

Reading was a passion, as evidence by her home library of more than 2000 books.   Gospel music was in Vera's heart, just like her concerns for the souls of those she met.

She was a big sports fan.  Her favorite Pro teams were Miami Dolphins, Chicago Cubs, and any team Payton Manning played for.  By far her most favorite teams where ones that her grand-children or great grand-children played on.

Also surviving are four children, Roger P. Smith of Placida, Florida, Marcia Faye Sassanella of Pleasant Lake, Hollace Michael (Carol) Smith of Pleasant Lake and Jeffery S. (Lisa) Smith of Rotunda West, FL; 12 grandchildren, Michelle (Jim) Alcorn of Avon, Jason (Andrea) Smith of New Haven, Jeremy (Kate) Sassanella of Indianapolis, Josh (Sarah) Sassanella of New York City, New York, Justin (Tiffany) Sassanella of Branson, Missouri, Jon (Jocelyn) Sassanella of Auburn, Hollace Steve (Angie) Smith of Pleasant Lake, Beth (Bruce) Kerr of Waterloo, Andrew (Jill) Smith of Evansville, Alicia Smith of Fort Wayne, Nick (Kari) Bregin of Fort Wayne and Geoff Bregin of Indianapolis; and 29 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild to be here in November.  Half-sister Verta Mae (Phillip) Phillips, of Muncie, nephew Perry Hart of Los Angeles, CA, and nephew Robbie (Karleen) Wert of Michigan.

She was proceeded in death by her sister and brother-in-law; Mary (Charles) Wert, sister; Edna Hart, half-brother; Isaac Garrett, and nephew; David Wert.

A memorial service will take place at 4:00 p.m. Monday June 10, 2019, at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street in Auburn, with the Rev. Ron Stambaugh officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2019 and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Auburn.