Oretta (Clark) Smith

**The service for Ms. Oretta will be held at Alamo United Methodist Church due to weather.

After visiting with family and playing a round of Bingo with friends, on March 3, 2022, Oretta Smith laid down for a nap and peacefully left her earthly life behind.

Oretta was born, prematurely, along with her twin sister, Rachel, to Willa Pearl and Lamar Clark, on January 20, 1933. They were born at home on the Hill Farm Road in Alamo. Because they were so small they were incubated in a box surrounded by hot water bottles and placed next to the wood stove for warmth. She showed perseverance and a love of life from the beginning.

After graduating from Brewton Parker College, Oretta (“Grami”; “Cokie”), married the love of her life, Frank Smith. They lived near her hometown of Alamo for several years and then moved to Atlanta. They had two children, Fran and Russell. She was very active in her children’s schools and often chaperoned their field trips to places like Washington, DC, and New York City. Frank shared her love for travel and the tales from the places they went were stories she loved to tell.

Early in her career, she worked with the DeKalb County Police Department as a crossing guard. She was, reportedly, one of the best shots on the force. She later worked at and retired from Fernbank Science Center with the DeKalb County Board of Education. In the words of her great-niece, she would effortlessly answer the phone, put someone on hold, usher in a class of school children, answer another call, go back to the original call, field visitors’ questions, and entertain nieces, nephews, or grandchildren who were visiting her that day….all without missing a beat. Oretta was quick-witted and easy to laugh. Her home was open to all and she was always surrounded by children and friends who loved being there.

Oretta is survived by her brother, William ‘Butch’ Clark (LaFerra); grandsons, Woody Smith (Danielle) and Charlie Foxworth; a granddaughter, Laura Foxworth; a great-granddaughter, Ruby Jo Smith; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded by her husband: Franklin L Smith, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law: Karen Fran Foxworth and Charles Kerry Foxworth; son: Russel Smith; sister: Rachel Clark Grant; and brothers: L.W. Clark and Kenneth Clark.

She has been a member of the Baptist church for many years and is a standing member of Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga.

A graveside ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 12, at 11:00 am, at the Alamo City Cemetery.

There will be a viewing at Towns Funeral Home on Friday, March 11, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm for those who would like to say farewells.

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