Smsgt. Martha C. Smith, Usaf (Ret.)

Retired U.S. Air Force Veteran, Martha C. Smith, went to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the age of 86.

Born in Hardwick, GA on October 29, 1936, Martha was the daughter of the late Grady C. and Anabell Layfield Cole. She was a graduate of Wilkinson County High School where she excelled in basketball and was the school’s MVP at one time. Following high school, Martha proudly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in which she proudly served her country for 26 years. During her military career, she specialized as a training superintendent and retired having attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.

Very independent and resourceful from the time she was young, Martha strived to help create a better world and was devoted to serving as a philanthropist. She was a wonderful neighbor in every community that the military moved her to, as well as, in the communities she lived in throughout her retirement years. Martha was also a great cook who enjoyed cooking for those in need. When she wasn’t volunteering her time to the public, she loved to garden. Martha’s green thumb was evident in everything she planted. She even took a Botany class and became a Master Gardener. Martha was witty, funny and very direct, as she never minced words. These qualities made her the best mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister anyone could ask for. Martha was very loved by everyone who knew her; she will be sadly missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard F. Smith.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Madra Giegerich and Marla Tone, both of Bonaire and Leah Smith of Warner Robins; grandsons, Michael A. Tone, Jr. of Warner Robins and Benjamin Giegerich of Dublin; great-grandchildren, Asher Smith and Dylan Howell; and brothers, Raymond Frank Cole (Gloria) of McIntyre, GA and Ronald Harrell (Lisa) of Gordon, GA.

Martha’s family will receive visitors for a memorial gathering on Monday, February 13, 2023, from 11:00 p.m. until 12 noon at McCullough Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating her life will immediately follow at 12 noon in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Martha will be laid to rest next to Howard in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be given in Martha’s name to The Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street NW, Ste. 450, Washington DC, 20037, www.humanesociety.org to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org, or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 S. Davis Dr., Warner Robins, GA 31088.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.