Alta Marie (Smith) Jones

Alta Marie Smith was born on October 31, 1942 in Athens, Georgia to Bazelle Lamar Smith, Sr. and Emma Huntly-Smith. From this union, 13 children was born, with Alta being the second 'knee-baby' of her siblings and affectionately known as Alrie.

She acquired her education in the Clarke County School District with honors that afforded her the opportunity to visit the White House to shake hands with President Dwight Eisenhower in 1957. She attended Hill Chapel Baptist Church, Athens, Georgia.

In her early twenties Alta migrated to New York with her husband William Patman. In 1975 Alta remarried to George Jones known as "Gee" who became the the love of her life. Alta adored her wonderful husband, Gee, and he was dedicated to romancing his" Queen". While married they would enjoy long romantic boat rides along the Hudson River, great friends, a wonderful family and the finer things in life. In addition to her exciting life, Alta dedicated many years working for Delta Airlines and was loved by all who knew her. She wore a big old smiley face with big, high cheek bones that would win everyone over. She also had a special passion for fashion and looking good. At the same time, she wore high-end jewelry, kept fine clothes, make-up, wigs, expensive perfume and beautiful cars. Alta also loved listening to her favorite Soul and Blues music especially, (Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Betty Wright and her number one man, Tyrone Davis). She would host the most elaborate parties that brought family and friends together from far and near and was the talk of the town throughout the entire community. However, nothing was more precious to her than her children. While raising her three children, Alta Marie Jones was also known as "Ma". She loved each one of her children in a special way and had a funny way of making her kids, grandkids and great-grandchild laugh. Whenever she wanted to know something, she would always say “something in the milk ain’t clean”, to pick the truth out of her children. Well, she was always right and always got the truth. She was known for her sayings “Do what I tell y'all now and “do right”. Once Alta retired, she was fortunate to live a good life and stay home to raise her children. They got to experience her rare gift in the culinary art of cooking and rest assured they would always find something special on the menu, including ham hocks and collard greens with a good piece of fried crispy fish on the side…. every Friday night, directly next to the hot sauce. Her other go to was a good piece of juicy gossip with a nice cold Pepsi with peanuts. Alta was often stationed in her den window as the neighborhood watch, while waiting to hit the lottery....LOL.But she was loyal to her roots. She enjoyed watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The University of Georgia Bulldogs and was crazy about Steve Harvey. Even though she loved game shows, Family Feud was her favorite, but she claimed the host on the Chase Show was her boyfriend.

Years later, Alta started developing many health challenges, but she never gave up and she never forgot the Lord. She would faithfully watch Tele-Evangelist, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Jimmy Swaggart. One of Alta’s favorite bible verses was the 23rd Psalm and she would also say to her children “leave it in the hands of the Lord”.

On Thursday morning, January 28, 2021, Christ led Alta Marie Jones to greener pastures and called her home. Alta was proceeded in death by her parents, Bazzelle Lamar Smith and  Emma Huntley-Smith; three sisters, Catherine Smith Howard, Margie Gilmer Smith Parker, Harriet Jean Smith Sparks; seven brothers, Robert Lee Smith, Bobby Franklin Smith, Richard Walter Smith, George Horace Smith, Bazelle Smith Jr., James Edward Smith, Joe Willie Smith and her beloved husband, George Jones.

Alta Marie Jones is survived by a son, Tony Michael Patman (Natasha) of The Bronx, New York; two  daughters, Angela Tawwaina Patman of Brooklyn, New York and Candea Leashun Aarons (Samuel) of Buford, Georgia; four grandchildren, Tarrance La’delle Jones, Anthony Nahshon Brown, Alta LaToyia Patman Billie (Robert), Reginald Mark Turner and Arianna Kaylee Patman; great-granddaughter, Brooklynn Alivia Billie; brother, Ralph Smith (Lizzie Ree); sister, Nena Smith Thomas, both of Athens, Georgia; sister-In-law, Mary Bell Smith; thirty-four nieces & nephews, and a host of cousins and friends, along with two special Care Takers.

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