Vivian Smith Key

Vivian Smith Key, age 81, of Gainesville, Georgia, formerly of Toccoa, Georgia, passed away on June 30, 2024 at her home.

Born May 4, 1943, in Toccoa, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Bryson Smith and late Gladys Williams Smith Crump. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Toccoa, Georgia. Vivian graduated from Toccoa High School in 1961 and attended Oxford College at Emory. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in 1966. Immediately following graduation, she was commissioned by the United States Navy from 1966 to 1969, achieving the rank of Lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps. She proudly served her country and received the National Defense Service Medal for her nursing service during the Vietnam War. Vivian’s nursing career spanned 42 years and during her career, she enjoyed working at Stephens County Hospital in Toccoa, Georgia, Emory University Hospital, and the VA Hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia and Portland, Oregon. She loved working in the areas of critical care, open heart and heart transplant surgery units, as well as nursing education.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and step-father, Arch Crump, two brothers, Robert Bryson Smith and Arthur Eugene Smith, both of Toccoa. A nephew, Kevin Smith and a niece, Nicole D. Dunn-Heavlin, both of New York. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Ricky Presley and her two grandsons, Brent Steele, wife Mary Katherine, and Bradley Steele, of Gainesville, Georgia, two nephews, Jason Smith, wife April, and Danny Smith, wife Kelly of New York. She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews and extended family. She was a devoted Christian and patriot who deeply loved her friends and family. She was known for her bright smile and sense of humor.

A graveside service will be held at Stephens Memorial Gardens on Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Stacy Penland officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Navy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Open Arms Clinic in Toccoa, Georgia. www.openarmsclinicga.com. Memorial Park Riverside Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com