Mrs. Martha "Sue" Teal Smith, age 87, beloved wife of Winford P. Smith of Soperton passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, February 25, 2025 while being comforted by and cared for at Community Hospice in Vidalia, Georgia.

Born in Foley, Florida, she was the daughter of the late Claudis Glenn Teal and Bernice Holly Ward Teal.  She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where she graduated from Ramsey High School, Class of 1955.  After high school, she moved to Brunswick, Georgia where she trained as a Dental Hygienist.   While in Brunswick she met her future husband, Winford P. Smith.  They married in 1960 and began a journey of love and devotion that spanned sixty five years.  Her husband's career with Georgia Power moved them to various job assignments until coming to Soperton in the early 1970s.  After settling in Soperton, Mrs. Smith continued to work as a Dental Hygienist; first with Dr. Glawson, before working with Dr. John Pournelle; until retiring in 1995.

She and her husband and their children were members of Soperton First Baptist Church where Miss Sue taught Sunday School, served as Secretary and Treasurer for the Helen Perry Sunday School Class, the WMU and was instrumental in starting the first youth group at First Baptist Church.  Along with other members of her Sunday School Class, she was instrumental in founding and working in the  preparation and delivery of meals to the home bound, and needy as well as transporting other members of the community to doctor's appointments.

Miss Sue was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed crocheting.  She has crocheted countless caps for cancer patients, as they were making their journey through chemotherapy, as well as blankets for each of her children and grandchildren, which have become family heirlooms.

With ancestors of Creek Indian lineage, she was very independent, purpose driven and goal oriented.  While juggling devotion to her family, her career, her church and her community; she also assisted her husband with the duties of his position in Harmony Lodge of Soperton as well as with her son, John's, business in Statesboro.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a son, Alan, who passed away in 2023 and her siblings, of whom she is the eldest, Glenn "Buck" Teal, Karen Teal, Sandy Teal, Pixie Milam, Mark Milam and Vickie Milam.

Miss Sue leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted and loving husband of sixty-five years, Winford P. Smith, Soperton, Georgia, their children, Holly Suzanne Willis (Tracy), Gainesville, GA, John Ashley Smith (Renee), Statesboro, GA, Jennifer Elizabeth Dietzel (Chris), Auburn, GA, a daughter in law, Janel Ashley Smith, Glenwood, GA, grandchildren, Holly Onda (Joe), Caroline Rice (Aaron), Faith Hess (Daniel), Jordan Austin (Ashley), Riley Smith (Megan), Coleby Smith (Morgan), Chelsea Garcia, Ava Garcia, Elle Garcia, Amanda Nichole "Nicki" Galanti (Jeremy), USAF Senior Airman William Lucas "Luke" Smith, ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 o'clock p. m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in the Williams Chapel of Sammons Funeral Home with Reverend George Grimes and Pastor Chad Cofield officiating.

Mrs. Smith will be laid to rest in Westview Cemetery, Soperton, Georgia.

Serving as pallbearers will be family members, Jordan Austin, Riley Smith, Coleby Smith, Luke Smith, Aaron Rice and Jeremy Galanti.

Being recognized and serving as honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Helen Perry Sunday School Class.

Her family will receive friends, on Saturday, at Sammons Funeral Home from 1:00 o'clock p. m. until the hour of service or friends and family may call at the family residence in the days leading up to the service as well as following the services on Saturday.

Please share a memory, leave a condolence message and sign the online guest register at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com

SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, Family Owned and Operated Since 1917.  912-529-4411 or 478-455-0671