Inez Tharpe Smith

ABBEVILLE. . .Inez Tharpe Smith, a resident of Abbeville, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026, at her home. She was 95.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in the Sardis Baptist Church with Reverend George Bryan officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Tuesday in the church sanctuary. Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sardis Baptist Church, c/o Brenda Roberson, 1597 County Road 133, Abbeville, AL 36310.

Mrs. Smith was born and raised in the Center and Bertha Communities of Dale County, daughter of the late Louie Melton Tharpe and Izora Chancey Tharpe. She was a 1949 graduate of Dale County High School in Ozark. Mrs. Smith was a member of Sardis Baptist Church where she formerly served as church treasurer. She was retired from Price Brothers Gas Company in Abbeville as Office Manager. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, John Benjamin "J.B." Smith, a son, Brent Smith, a sister, Juanita Tew and a brother, Louis Thorpe.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Brenda Ann Fulford (Ted), Abbeville; a son, Benny Smith (Renee'), Abbeville; a daughter-in-law, Amy Smith, Dothan; a sister-in-law, Billie Thorpe, Newville; grandchildren, Spence Fulford (Cheri), Lindsey Smith McGarry (John), Audrey Smith Bawcum, and Trey Fortune (Alex); great-grandchildren, Lily Rae Fulford, Jackson Bawcum and Rusty Brown; three great-great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter on the way.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Mike Tew, Kenneth Tew, Greg Gordon, Terryl Sellers, Aaron Dansby and Ronnie Bush.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Gentiva Hospice and caregivers, Stella Goodson and Lorna Turner for the loving care and kindness shown to Mrs. Smith during her illness.