Jennetta "Lea" Smith

1936 - 2025

Jennetta "Lea" Smith (Riley), 89, passed away at home on November 2, 2025.

On June 23, 1936, in Bergoo, West Virginia, Jennette Lily Gillespie gave birth to twins, Jennetta Lea and Norma Mildred (Mickie). After their birth, Jennette Lily passed away from complications. The twins were raised by their uncle and aunt, Harry and Ruth Riley as their own.

During Lea's lifetime, she lived in West Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, and final stop Georgia, making friends everywhere she called home.

Lea was employed with the City of Savannah as a crossing guard at White Bluff Elementary School from August 1988 – August 2007.

Lea was known for her tireless work ethic and generous heart. Her life was a testament to her quiet strength, compassion, and resilience. She always put everyone else above herself and found joy in life's simple pleasures. Lea's greatest love was her family and grandchildren.

Lea was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ruth Riley; twin sister, Norma Milred and sister, Merlyn Seale; several other sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews from the Riley and Gillespie families.

Survivors to carry on her legacy include her son, Mark Smith (Glenda); three daughters, Treva Smith, Tambra Shoop (Terry), and Tina Hendrix (Barry); five grandchildren, Lisa Hildebrandt (David), Eric Smith (Cara), Travis Shoop (Elizabeth), Ashlea Shoop-Clayton (Drew) and Blake Hendrix; along with six great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be a private burial at Canoochee Cemetery in Claxton, Georgia.