La Verne M. Smith

La Verne M. Smith passed away peacefully Sunday, February 15th, 2026, with her daughters at her side. Beloved mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and loving friend to all who knew her.

The family will greet friends at 2 pm, Friday February 20th, at Talatha Baptist Church, 361 Talatha Church Road, Aiken, SC, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3 pm. Pastor Jordan Bird will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Born September 22, 1928, in New Jersey, after high school she spent a short time in Colorado where she worked for the telephone company, a vocation she returned to years later in Miami. This short time away from New Jersey sparked a lifelong love of travel. La Verne moved to Miami in the 1950s where she met her husband and began her family.

She is survived by daughters Brenda Smith Klein (Jeff) and Linda Smith-Jones (Larry), grandsons Zachary Klein and Michael Klein.

At her Miami Springs Church home, she was a Sunday School teacher, a Girls Auxiliary (“GA’s”) leader, active with the WMCU, and when her daughters were younger, with Girl Scouts.

She lived by faith, prayed daily for our country and all she loved, a true prayer warrior.

She moved to Aiken in 2006 to be near her daughters and grandsons. Here she found her new church home at Talatha Baptist Church, which she loved. She enjoyed making friends, and playing Mahjong, cards with friends at Odell Weeks and Facebook Words with Friends. She loved a good pun, enjoyed her excellent vocabulary and plays on words, and playing Rummikub with family.

She had a lifelong ability to touch people’s lives for Christ in a lasting way. People she connected with forty or more years ago stay in touch and relate how to this day their lives are better for having known her. Her generosity, kindness, and willingness to help anyone in need was an example to all.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Talatha Baptist Church Benevolence Funds, 361 Talatha Church Rd., Aiken, SC 29803

SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC