Bessie Ann Lancaster Smith

Bessie Ann Lancaster Smith, age 86 of Watkinsville formerly of Gainesville, Ga, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2014 at her residence following an extended illness.


Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Montgomery Memorial Baptist Church with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Smith will lie in state at the church from 12:30 to 1:00 pm, prior to the service, at the church. Reverend Daryl Womack will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 from 5 - 8 pm and Thursday, September 4, 2014 from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, prior to the service.

Mrs. Smith was born November 25, 1927 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late Enoch Harrison Lancaster and Oma Belle Peck Lancaster. She was a homemaker and a member of Montgomery Memorial Baptist Church. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Aaron James Smith, Sr., her brother, Floyd Lancaster, her sister, Avie Belle Lancaster Tanner and her granddaughter, Rachel Holmes.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her son, Aaron James Smith, Jr. of Gillsville, daughter & son-in-law, Holly & John Gregg of Watkinsville, son, David Harrison Smith of Gainesville, daughter & son-in-law, Audrey Ann & Tony Ateca of Aiken, South Carolina and grandchildren, Shane Smith, Brannon Smith, Gerald Smith, Phillip Gregg, Thomas Gregg, Paul Flynn, Sharon Goldsmith, Melody Smith, Darrell Smith, Jeremy Ateca, Stephen Ateca, Anne Ateca, Joshua Ateca and Daniel Ateca.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Bentley Center Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA), 135 Hoyt Street, Athens, Georgia 30601.



Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.



Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.