Mother Veola Smith went home to be with the Lord on January 26, 2025 at IU Hospital in Indianapolis IN. She was born to the union of Mack Neal and Nicey Gary on November 21, 1935 in Levesque, Arkansas. Veola relocated to Indiana in 1951.

On September 10, 1962 she was united in marriage to Jake L. Smith in Elkhart, IN at Community Missionary Baptist Church.

Veola was employed at Kenders Furniture Shop, Carltons and then retired from Homecrest in Goshen, IN after working there for 18 years.

Veola also served in many auxiliaries at Community Missionary Baptist Church. She was in the Mission Society, Nurses Guild, Deaconess, Mother's Board and sang in the choir for many years. She was a lifelong member at Community Missionary Baptist Church.

She leaves to cherish two sons Allen (Bertha) Gary, Barry (Andrea) Smith and two daughters Barbara (Sylvester) Gates and Juanita Glover. God children Carolyn (Rev. David) Land, Keith (Teresa) Hutchinson, Gloria (Rev. Tyrone) Pace, Veronica (Jerry) Smith, Don (Barbara) Nash and Janice (OT) Neal.

She was blessed to have had 10 grandchildren, 14, Great-grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jake L. Smith her son Willie Newson, her twin sisters Mattie (Joe) McGhee and Hattie (Theodore) Clark, Leola Gary, Olivia (Joseph) Allen. Brothers and Sisters Clyde (Juanita) Riley Sr, Rev. Allen (Earlean) Gary and Rev. Otis (Brenda) Gary.

Homegoing services celebrating the life of Veola Smith will begin at Noon (12 o'clock) with visitation for 1 hour prior on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Community Missionary Baptist Church, 225 Chapman Ave. Elkhart. Pastor Clarence Jones will give the eulogy.

Burial and graveside services will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Condolences may be sent to Veola's family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com