Service
Saturday, May 17, 2025Family Visitation: 2:00 P.M.Funeral Service: 3:00 P.M.Held atWebb Grove AME Church3996 Barfield Crescent RoadMurfreesboro, TennesseeBertha Geneva Smith was born on December 5, 1936, to the late Jim Pope and Dora (Watkins) Pope York in Christiana, Tennessee. She transitioned into this earthly life on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, after a battle of pancreatic cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sam Smith, Jr.; daughter, Doris Davis; two sons, Howard (Bill) Pope and Doug (Hernes) Smith; sisters, Virginia Daniels, Barbara Ann (Pope) Binford and Lucille Smotherman; brothers, David and George Pope; brother-in-law, Roy Smotherman; and sister-in-law, Irean Gains.
She went to school in Christiana, TN. She worked at MTSU for many years as well as doing housework.
She accepted Christ at an early age at Cedar Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church which joined with Webb Chapel AME and is now known as New Webb Grove AME. She was a steward, Stewardess and Class Leader.She was a WHS (Women Missionary Society) and she loved helping out with the YPD (Young People Department).
Bertha was known to everyone as “Grandma”. She loved spending time with her family and friends and traveling with the YPD of New Webb Grove. Most of all, she loved cooking and shopping with her daughter, Doris Davis.
Bertha Smith leaves to cherish her loving memories, a loving daughter, Alice Brwon; five loving sons, Roy (Nora) Smith, Mike Smith, Gregory (Steve) Smith, Lewis (Letha) Smith and Dr. Rodney E. (Karla) Smtih; one brother, Jimmy “Buddy” Pope; twenty-eight grandkids, forty-three great grandkids and eleven great-great grandkids; a host of nieces and nephews; devoted brother-in-law, Clarence Binford; best friends, Dorothy Martin and Eloise Bishop; and a host of other relatives and friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more