Obituary of Era Mae Smith

Era Mae Smith came into this world on May 11, 1926 in Fort Deposit, Alabama to the late Frank and Avie Taylor Robinson. She was affectionately known as "Mommy and Nana". She made her triumphant transition to glory on May 3, 2020, at the age of 94. She was a resident of Monticello, New York for 58 years. She was married to, the late Reverend Willie Frank Smith on April 8, 1950 in Greenville, Alabama, to whom she remained devoted for 70 years. Era leaves to cherish her memory, son Arthur Mack Sr. (Bea) of Monticello, NY; adopted daughter Amanda Smith of Monticello, NY; adopted son Bruce Smith (Andrea) of Port Lucie, FL; 16 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren; 14 Great-Great Grandchildren; a foster parent to many; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by daughter Gloria Williams, adopted son Robert Smith; sisters Vera Mae Stubbs (twin); Vinny Jones; Flossie Ware (David) and brother Willie Frank Robinson; grandson Kenneth Williams and two great granddaughters. Era attended the Central School of Greenville, AL before making the move to Monticello, NY. She began working as a nurses’ aide at Hamilton Avenue Hospital, in Monticello, NY and later took a position as a residential counselor at Crystal Run Village in South Fallsburg, NY until her retirement. Era began serving God at a very early age in Alabama. Her first church membership was at Demastus Baptist Church, Fort Deposit, AL where she was baptized. She later joined Pine Level Baptist Church in Greenville, AL where she sang in the choir, served on the usher board and served as secretary of the Sunday School. Era was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #170, Greenville, AL. She remained a member of Pine Level until she moved and joined the First Baptist Church of Monticello, NY in 1969 under the late Pastor Brookward Bush. At First Baptist, Era continued to be an active worker on God’s battlefield. She served on the usher board, member and President, the missionary board, Sunday school teacher and eventually the Sunday school Superintendent. She served as first lady of Beulah Baptist church, Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church and later Friendship Baptist church, until illness brought her to the Care Center at Sunset Lake, in Liberty, NY. Due to our current health crisis, her funeral service and burial will be held privately for the immediate family, and a public memorial service may be held at a later date. Burial will be made at the Rock Ridge Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello NY; for additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com