Funeral service for Mrs. Reba Lanell Smith will be 2 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service on Friday.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31: 25-28a

Mrs. Reba Lanell Cotten Smith was welcomed joyfully to her Heavenly home April 5, 2022, at the age of 93. She was born in McCall Creek, MS on April 17, 1928, to Thomas Bluit Cotten and Colonia Octavia Lofton. She was a graduate of West Lincoln High School. She later met and married the love of her life, Hewitt Smith, upon his return from serving in World War II.

Mrs. Smith loved gardening and flowers, music, needlework, fishing, collecting Madame Alexander dolls and spending time with her family. Throughout her life, she and her husband traveled extensively around the world with friends. Brimming with kindness and hospitality, she never met a stranger, always willing to stop and talk to anyone who may need a word of encouragement. Her greatest joy was her grand and great-grandchildren who knew her best as their beloved Mema. Sunday lunches of roast and rice with gravy were a given. She also treasured and enjoyed her Sunday School class and church, but, above all, she loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, passing on a tremendous legacy of faith.

We want to lovingly thank her precious caregivers, Ruthie and Martha, and the entire staff of The Grove in Columbia, MS.

Preceding her in death were her parents; along with 12 siblings; husband, Warren Hewitt Smith; and son, Warren Hewitt Smith Jr.

She has a large family to cherish her memory including her daughter, Belinda Smith Stamps and husband David; son, Oscar Alan Smith and wife, Cindy; brother-in-law, Bill J. Smith; sister-in-law, Mrs. Dee Cotten Heuvel; eight grandchildren, Paige Lammey (David), Cammie Mashburn (Robert), Jourdan Bullock (Josh), Nick Smith (Bethany), Andrew Malone, Jessica Malone, Bianca Branch (Scott), and Randy Smith; along with 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob Lammey, Ella Grace Lammey, Nicholas Lammey, Kinley Mashburn, Jax Mashburn, Luke Stogner, Oscar Ray Smith, Lila Spring, Andrew Culver, Noah Smith, and Patience Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Brookhaven or a charity of your choice.

Condolences and other information are available online at www.riverwoodfamily.com.