Mattie Earline Smith departed this life on February 2, 2022 at the age of 76. She was born September 3, 1945 to the late John W. Gaines and Eunice E. Gaines.
At an early age, Mattie was baptized and joined St. James Baptist Church in Beaverdam, VA. She was a firm believer in reading her Bible, trusting in God’s word, prayer, faith and loving the Lord, unconditionally. As circumstances changed, she was unable to attend so she started having church in the privacy of her home. On Sunday mornings, her gospel music and beautiful voice would wake up the neighborhood. Her favorite song was “Good Morning Heaven”.
Mattie attended Hanover County Public Schools where she graduated from John M. Gandy High School. For many years, she worked at Holly Farm, formally known as Tyson Foods Incorporated. In her final years of employment, she worked for Hanover County Department of Transportation. She took pride in transporting students, throughout Hanover and surrounding counties, in a county car.
She is also preceded in death by her siblings Daisy Smith, Beulah Cotman and James Gaines. Four brother-in-laws, Linwood Smith, Irvin Iverson, Edward Iverson, and Wilber Smith.
She leaves to cherish memories, her husband of forty-nine years, Aubrey Smith. Out of their union, they had three children, Madelyn Smith, Aubrey James Smith (Kelsey Thurston) and Kendrick Smith. Her stepson, Timothy Mills, Godson, Bruce Michael Mines and one devoted grandson, James Rayshawn Smith. Additionally, six sisters, Bernice Gaines-Barham (Glenn), Francella Woody, Deaconess Synora Mines (Thomas), Gretel Mason (Raymond), Vera Anderson (Donald) and Beverly Gaines (Ron). Three sister-n-laws, Deaconess Edmonia Iverson, Sarah Gaines and Lorraine Smith. A host of nephews and nieces who affectionally called her Nanny or Nanny Mama, relatives and friends.
