Smith, Vera Mae (Finarty) 1927-2006

HARVEY, FINARTY, SMITH, WILSON

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2006 at 20:12:42

Vera Mae Harvey Smith was born on July 14, 1927, south of Knoxville in Marion County. She was one of five children born to Jessie L. Wilson and William Thomas Finarty. She spent her childhood on a farm in southern Marion County. After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1944, Vera Mae worked as a dental assistant.

On March 9, 1947, Vera Mae Finarty married Clark Eugene "Doc" Harvey. To this union two children were born. Doc and Vera Mae moved to the Harvey farm east of Knoxville where they farmed for many years. Vera Mae was a hard worker on the farm, scooping silage and doing other chores. She was especially fond of working with the cattle. Vera Mae served as a girls 4-H leader for many years and also helped Doc lead a boys 4-H club.

After the children were grown, Vera Mae went to work as a nursing assistant at the VA Medical Center; retiring after 14 years. Doc passed away on April 1, 2003. Vera Mae renewed her friendship with an old high school friend, Bob Smith. On October 9, 2003, Vera Mae Finarty Harvey married Robert Duane Smith.

Vera Mae was an excellent cook, frequently making 12-14 pans of cloverleaf or cinnamon rolls at one time from scratch. Freezing them to use whenever family or friends stopped. Vera Mae always had a big garden and canned much of the extra produce. The family especially remembers her strawberry jam, upside down pickles and frozen green beans and corn. Vera Mae also liked to have fun. Playing card games such as rummy, 12 point pitch and pinochle were always favorites. She also spent many hours working jig saw puzzles.

Vera Mae Harvey Smith passed away on Oct. 30, 2006, at the Hospice Comfort House in Pella at the age of 79.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, husband and daughter, Arlys Ponce.

Those left to mourn her passing are her husband, Robert "Bob" Smith of Chariton; one son and his wife, Danny and Ann Harvey of Knoxville; one son-in-law, Robert Ponce of Norwalk; six grandchildren; three sisters, Florence Agan and her husband Keith and Alberta Mart of Knoxville and Pat Patty and her husband, Roy of Kellogg; three step-children, Jill Moore and her husband Bob of Springfield, Mo., Gary Smith of Springfield, Mo., John Smith of Ozark, Mo.; three step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life was held on Nov. 2 at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville with Pastor Greg Neer officiating. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Memorials in memory of Mrs. Smith may be made to the Chariton Church of the Nazarene or Hospice Comfort House in Pella.

The Knoxville Journal Express, November 17, 2006