Mother Leila Mae Harris Smith  affectionately known as "Miss Honey" of 1017 South 9th Street, Cordele, Georgia died Friday, May 17, 2024 at her residence.

The funeral service will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the sanctuary of the Zion Hope Baptist Church, Wenona Community, Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

A beautiful testament of God's love for us was realized when our beloved Mother Leila Mae Harris Smith was welcomed to this world on Wednesday, February 4, 1920. The daughter of Taylor Harris and Sarah McIntyre, she was born in Nashville, Georgia. "Miss Honey" as she was lovingly known, received her education in the Ware County Public School System.

With a deep love for the Lord, her kind and loving spirit allowed her to embrace all she would meet. She was a faithful and resolute member of Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where she served with a humble heart. A studier of God's word, she had a love for children and served as the Sunday School teacher for the youth of the church. She never wavered in her commitment to do all she would for the Lord. She also served as a member of the Christian Aid Society.

Mother Smith loved to cook. She also loved sewing and over the years oversaw making many of the clothes worn by her children. A faithful and loving wife and mother, she stayed home caring for her children and supporting a home of love while her husband, Deacon Otis C. Smith, Sr. worked outside of the home. She made their home a place of love, peace, and joy.

She completed her earthly task on Friday, May 17, 2024. Along with her parents and her husband, she is preceded in death by her children, Pearlie M. Pugh, Frances Gray and Robert L. Smith, her siblings, Mary Lee Corker, Johnnie Mae Mapp, and Wilburt Thomas.

Precious memories will live on in the hearts of her loving and devoted children, Ivory Smith of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Otis C. Smith, Jr. (Rita) of Beaufort, South Carolina, Matthew Smith (Jackie) of Macon, Georgia, Mary Elaine Bryant (George) and Barbara Ann Smith both of Cordele, Georgia; 22 loving grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren; 10 great, great grandchildren; her nieces and nephews; many cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends, to include Ireti Lawson and Dr. David Kavtaradze.