Virginia Smith
Former choir director at Goucher Baptist Church

Virginia Tate Smith, 84, a resident of Peachtree Centre, formerly of Goucher School Road, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, at Upstate Carolina Medical Center.

Born in Caroleen, N.C., she was the widow of Edwin Smith and daughter of the late Rev. William Thomas Tate and Dovie Melissa Sparks Tate. She was a homemaker and piano teacher. Mrs. Smith was a member of Goucher Baptist Church, where she served as choir director for 40 years. All former choir members who sang under her direction are invited to join the choir for her celebration of her home going.

She is survived by three daughters, Melissa Mathis of Gaffney, Libby Mathis and husband, Charles, of Gaffney, and Mary Lou Marsh and husband, Harry, of Hartwell, Ga.; a sister, Mary Kirby of Gaffney; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Jolly and husband, Jeff, Christy McDaniel and husband, Greg, Kelly Henson and husband, Mike, Todd Mathis and wife, Staci, Clayton Mathis, Mandy Clark, and husband, the Rev. Casey Clark, Jared Marsh and Augusta Marsh; and five great-grandchildren, Kasi Jolly, Blakley Jolly, Hannah McDaniel, Hailey McDaniel and Margo Mathis.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Services will be held today at 4 p.m. at Goucher Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Norman Gardner, Ray Long and Casey Clark. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation was held Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Blakely Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Goucher Baptist Church Renovation Fund, 415 Goucher Creek Road, Gaffney, S.C. 29340.

The family will be at the home of Libby and Charles Mathis, 945 Goucher School Road, Gaffney.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome. com.

Arrangements by Blakely Funeral Home.