Gertie Smith

UNITY, Ill. -- Gertie Mae Smith, 84, of Unity died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Ill.

She was born Nov. 19, 1919, in Palestine, Ark., daughter of Marcus and Nancy Watkins Rogers Sr. She and Sellie S. Smith were married Feb. 28, 1937. He died March 13, 2002.

Smith was a member of Church of God and Son.

Survivors include a son, Johnny Smith of Chicago; two daughters, Geraldine Stephens of Glenwood, Ill., Nancy Beegle of Mounds, Ill.; three sisters, Salina Dickerson, Susie Hines and Bertha Green, all of Mounds; two brothers, James Rogers Sr. of St. Louis, Marcus Rogers Jr. of Detroit, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, a sister and a brother.

Friends may call today at Church of God and Son from 11 a.m. until time of service.

The funeral will be at noon at the church, with Freddie Green officiating. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Memorial Park in Mounds.

Massie Funeral Home in Cairo, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.