The Life Of Our Beloved

On December 15, 1928 in Athens, Georgia, the late Bazzell L. and Emma Mamie Huntley Smith, Sr., welcomed their newborn daughter, Nena Ninita Smith into their growing family. Nena was educated in the Clarke County School System and graduated in 1947 from Athens High & Industrial School. She later attended the University of Georgia. She met and married the "love of her life", Eddie Lee Thomas, and was proud to be Mrs. Nena Thomas. At the early age of nine years old, she joined the Hill Chapel Baptist Church, Athens, Georgia, where served on the Adult Usher Board and Mother's Board. Nena was an ambitious and industrious woman. She was the owner and operator of Nena's Sewing Shop and a local laundry mat. Not being one to slow down at that point in her life, she came out of retirement by working at Ryan's Restaurant. In addition to her parents and husband, she was proceeded in death by her daughter, June E. Robinson; four sisters, Katherine Howard, Margie Gilmer Smith, Harriet Jean Sparks and Alta Marie Jones; seven brothers, Bazzell Smith, Jr., Robert Lee Smith, Sr., James Edwards Smith, Joe Willie Smith, George Horace Smith, Bobby Franklin Smith and Walter Richard Smith. Nena peacefully began her eternal journey Friday morning, April 23, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her family. Many cherished and precious memories have been left with her children, whom all were reared in the home: NeNe (Gregg) Leakes, Anthony Thomas, Santiba Hall, Nikiiyah (Randell) King, Courtney Hall and Justin Hall; brother, Ralph Henry (Lizzie) Smith; grandchildren, Bryson Bryant, Brentt Leakes, Macy Thomas, D'Anthony Thomas and Calvaniece Mason; sisters-in-law, Mary Belle Smith and Janie (Freddie) Bolds; brother-in-law, Jessie (Bernice) Smith and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.