Vada Smart

Vada Smart, 100, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at Chateau Girardeau.

She was born Oct. 7, 1913, in Piggott, Arkansas, to William Holens and Edith Eron Hickman Smart.

Vada received a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a dedicated educator nine years in Campbell, Missouri, eight years in Kennett, Missouri, 25 years at the former Campus School, and retired as professor emerita from Southeast in 1979.

She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Missouri State Teachers Association, Retired Teachers Association, Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and PEO Sisterhood.

Survivors include a brother, Glen (Patricia) Smart of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Freeda Ricks of O'Fallon, Missouri; two nephews, Michael (Emily) Smart of Cape Girardeau and their children, Megan and Allison, and Phillip Smart of Maryland; four nieces, Carolyn (Jim) Scott of Wentzville, Missouri, and their children, Jay and Denise, Linda Allen of Lake St. Louis and her children, Lindsey and Melissa, Mary (Jack) Groeper of Wright City, Missouri, and their children, Leah and Cara, and Betty (Bruce) Burt of Wright City and their children, Ann and Stacy; great-nieces and nephews, Donna, Rose Marie, Sheri, David, Terry and Tim; and a niece-in-law, Dorothy Ricks of Campbell, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Doyle Smart; a nephew, Donald Ricks; and a great-nephew, Greg Kincaid.

Visitation was Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Shupert officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Campbell.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.