THOMASVILLE -- Jeanette Early Smith, 82, formerly a resident of Moultrie, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002, at Camellia Gardens Nursing Home in Thomasville, where she had been a resident for the past seven years.

She was born Jan. 23, 1920, in Ahoskie, N.C., the daughter of James Lawrence Earley and Nancy Dilday Earley. She grew up on her family's farm near Ahoskie along with 14 brothers and sisters. After graduating from East Carolina Teachers College she taught school, then worked for the War Department in Washington, D.C., and served in the Red Cross in Hawaii during World War II. On July 8, 1945, she married Charles Owen Smith Jr. and later moved to Moultrie, where she raised four sons, Charles Owen Smith III of New York, N.Y., Lawrence Early Smith of Moultrie, Markham Harvey Smith of Atlanta and Andrew Jubal Smith of Tallahassee. In Moultrie she was active in the Service League, the Speech and Hearing Center, Trinity Baptist Church and Cub Scouts.

She is survived by her sons; two sisters, Alene Earley Neville of Enfield, N.C., and Emma Earley Parker of Woodland, N.C.; one brother, Arthur Edsel Earley of Westfield, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Lawrence Ethan Smith of New York, N.Y., and Erin Walker Smith and Sarah Frances Smith of Atlanta; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday at Cobb Funeral Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 5 p.m. The Rev. J.E. Moak will officiate. Mrs. Smith will then be transported to North Carolina, where she will be buried at Ahoskie Cemetery after a graveside service officiated by the Rev. Robert May at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Moultrie YMCA or the Colquitt County Arts Center.