Letha Mae Smith

Letha Mae Smith was born August 06, 1951 to the late Laura Mae Smith-Johnson in Glennville, GA. She was partly raised by her grandparents until she lost her hearing at the age of 9. She then attended the Georgia School for the Deaf in Cave Springs, GA. While there, she was apart of the Jr. NAD, Y-Club, Science Club, Sidney Lanier Literary Society, Girl Explorer, Cheerleader, Pom Pom Squad, Class Secretary, FBLA Club, Student Campus Council, Homecoming Queen & Softball. After she graduated from school in 1973, she went back home to Glennville and begged her parents to move to Atlanta. She stayed with her older brother for a while until she obtained a job at the Georgia Dept of Revenue as a Data Transcriber. She worked there until 1987. Afterwards, she became a homemaker, focusing on raising her children and working in various hospitality industries. Letha was very strong in her faith & loved the Lord. She was baptizied at an early age and was a member of Greenforest Baptist Church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church & Crusselle Freeman Church of the Deaf. She loved family, her children, grandchildren, giving back to the community, being there for people, traveling, dancing, cooking, desserts, sewing, getting her nails done, learning new things, going out to eat & coffee. She loved telling stories of how she grew up, places she's been and the times spent with various people. She had a mind of an elephant; she never forgets. She believed in staying busy because there was always something to do. Her energy was unmatched. In December 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast/ovarian cancer. She remained steadfast in her faith and was devoted to seeing through to complete restoration. She continued to live her life as normal and any obstacles that came her way, she worked around them. Letha truly lived a full life & no second was spared. On Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 3:28 AM, she was received by the ancestors & transitioned to her spiritual home. Her parents Ivy Henry & Laura Mae Johnson, grandparents Zenious Smith Sr and Mary Jane Monroe Smith Mckinnies, brothers Tommy Johnson and Charles Johnson, partners Charles Hunter and Harvey King preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her legacy and memories 3 children. Son, Demarc King, GA daughters; Shenteria (Eldrich) King-Freeman, Lithonia, GA; Laurell Hunter-Heard, Atlanta, GA; 12 grandchildren; Ariana King, Locust Grove, GA; Mylian Gailes, TX; Myanna & Kiarra King, Bloomington, IL; Isaiah Heard, Malachi Heard, Mahogany Hunter, Laila Lenyard, Josiah King, Charles Hunter, Nasir Heard & Elaina Freeman, all of Atlanta-area, GA; 1 great-grandson; Cyre Jones, Locust Grove, GA; Brothers; Ivy Henry Johnson Jr, Atlanta, GA; Prentis Johnson, Jesup, GA; Elder James (Helen) Smith Sr, Columbus, GA; Navey (Patricia) Johnson Ludowici, GA; Walter (Charmaine) Johnson, Decatur, GA; Tony (Paulette) Johnson, Homestown, GA; Sisters; Verneda Scott, Jesup,GA; Marvylin Perry, Columbus, GA; Janie (John) Johnson, Glennville, GA; Gwendolyn Johnson-Walker, Glennville, GA; Angela Burgess, Hephzibah, GA; Debra (Ray) Phillips, Hinesville, GA; Sabrina Body, Rocky Mount, NC; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins & friends. Special thanks to all that have supported & loved her throughout her life and journey with cancer. I know she greatly appreciated it and we do too. Many blessings to you all. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034.

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Letha Mae Smith

August 6, 1951 - February 28, 2026