Annette Smith Fleming (7-27-12)

Annette Smith Fleming died on Friday, July 27, 2012, following an extended illness.

She was born November 17, 1914, in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Charles Austin and Nezzie Wheeler Tucker. She grew up on the family farm in Banks County near the Mt. Bethel Methodist Church and graduated from Commerce High School. Mrs. Fleming was preceded in death by two brothers, Lenward Tucker of Cartersville and Kenneth Tucker of Commerce.

In 1937 Annette married Ernest Henry Smith of Lavonia and together they owned and operated Smith Furniture and Appliance Company in Lavonia and Toccoa until Ernest died in 1979.

Survivors include three sisters, Guynelle Allen, Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Doris Harris, Carnesville, and Dorothy Tucker, Decatur; and a sister-in-law, Sally Tucker, Athens; two daughters and their families, Peggy and Ernest Todd, Auburn, Ala. and their son, Charles Russell Todd and wife Jill of Old Lyme, Conn. and Sara and James Bare, Daytona Beach, Fla. and their daughter, Jamie and husband Jonathan Hardy, Bethlehem.

Annette is also preceded in death by her second husband Thomas Hoyt Fleming. His daughters and their families who survive her have been Annette's loved and loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The two daughters are Carol and Joe Bagwell of Cumming with their two sons Neal and Monica Bagwell of Commerce and Eric and Gretchen Bagwell of Marietta and Gloria and Laney Seabolt of Commerce.

Annette is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and beloved cousin, C. L. Tucker, Jr. and his family.

Annette was a member of the Lavonia United Methodist Church and active in many local organizations during her long residency in Lavonia. Her family wishes to express appreciation to this community for the devoted care it provided Annette while she continued to live there in advanced age.

Thanks are also given to the staff of Morningside and Camellia Place in Auburn, Ala., where Annette received assisted living care and to her devoted special friend Donna Hart.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 29, at 2 p.m. in the Lavonia Chapel of Strickland Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Lavonia City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations in Annette's memory be made to the Lavonia United Methodist Church, US 17 and Baker Street, P.O. Box 176, Lavonia, GA 30553.

Strickland Funeral Home, Lavonia Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.