Mrs. Johnetta Almedia Smith Gillies

OBITUARY Johnetta Almedia Smith Gillies was born December 28, 1944 in Columbus, Georgia to the late John Saul Smith and Virginia B. Smith. She peacefully transitioned on Saturday, April 4, 2026 in Lawrenceville, Georgia with family by her side. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Trevor Gillies and two sons, Melvin T. Bettis and Trevor B. Gillies and a beloved daughter in law, Alisha Gillies. She loved her family beyond measure and nurtured her sons by providing them unwavering support, guidance and a deep love that shaped their lives until her passing. Johnetta was raised in a loving home along her sisters Jacqulyn Smith King (deceased) and Bernadene Pamela Talps. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory her niece Tonya Ramsey, and nephews Bernard Talps and Marcus Copeland, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in law, extended family and friends across the United States and abroad. Johnetta was educated in the Muscogee County Georgia School system where she developed a lifelong love for reading and nurtured a natural curiosity regarding the world around her. She was a proud 1962 graduate of William H. Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia. She proudly attended Clark Atlanta University (formerly Clark College) where she majored in French and ultimately earned both Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education from Columbus State University (formerly Columbus College). In December 1963, she was initiated into the Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and worked tirelessly throughout her life in support of the organization she loved and served so dearly. At an early age, Johnetta accepted Christ at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. She later continued her faith journey by becoming a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. She was an active and faithful member of Incarnate Word Lutheran Church in Lilburn, GA where she served as treasurer and was a longstanding delegate at the annual convention for Florida Georgia (FLGA) District of the Lutheran Church. Johnetta had a deep passion for her chosen career in education. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Fifth Avenue Elementary and Bibb City Elementary schools in Columbus, Georgia. In 1977, due to her husband’s overseas military transfer, she began teaching in Nurnberg Germany for the Department of Defense Dependent School system (DoDDS). Over the next 33 years and until her retirement in 2010, she taught and mentored the dependent children of miliary and civilian personnel serving overseas with love and professionalism. After retiring, she frequently attended the National Education Association (NEA) Retired Annual Meetings and happily reunited with fellow educators that she worked with during her lengthy time living in Germany. She maintained those professional friendships and connections throughout the years. She also often heard from her former students which delighted her. Outside of her professional life, Johnetta was known for her vibrant spirit and ever present smile. Every day she exhibited love, faith, hope, kindness, compassion and friendship to all those she knew and those she met throughout her life. She had a love for poetry, theater, reading, decorating, gardening and maintained a lifelong appreciation for learning. She loved to explore and traveled to more than 30 countries during her lifetime. Johnetta enjoyed entertaining and traditionally hosted friends and family at her annual and well attended Oktoberfest party which brought her much joy. She had a flair for decorating and loved to decorate her home especially for Christmas and Easter. She was known to redecorate her home frequently and always kept an eye out for new and different pieces to enhance her home. She was an avid gardener and looked forward each year to spring planting and tending her garden throughout the summer. Following her retirement, Johnetta relocated to Lawrenceville, Georgia and hit the ground running to enjoy life to the fullest. She was an active member of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Delta Dears. She was involved as a Gwinnett County Elections Poll Captain and was Secretary of the Gwinnett African American Caucus Democratic Party of Georgia. She was a member of the Country Hills Garden Club (Suwanee) where she was past President and Awards Chairman and also the Gwinnett County Community Garden at Lenora Park. She enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of the Queen Bee’s Bridge Club and the Once A Month Bridge Club. Additionally, she continued her love of education by tutoring youth to help them improve their reading comprehension and academic skills. She also worked as an assessor at various schools to ensure adequate standardized testing scores within the Georgia Milestones Assessment System. She was the recipient of many awards and certifications among her many life achievements. Visitation Friday, April 17, 2026 -12:00-8:00 PM Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home located at 914 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville Ga, 30045 Delta Sigma Theta Omega Omega Service - 6:30 PM Celebration of Life Saturday April 18th, 2026 10:00 AM Living Grace Lutheran Church 1812 Cooledge Rd, Tucker, GA 30084 Interment Monday, April 20, 2026 10:00 AM Georgia National Cemetery 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114 The family gives their extreme gratitude for the support and love shown during her extended illness. In her honor, it is asked that consideration be made for a donation to the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, Gwinnett Chapel, 914 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 30045. The Celebration of Life Service (LIVESTREAM) https://vimeo.com/event/5870344 for Johnetta A. Smith Gillies will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM. This service will be recorded and streamed live. If the event is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire event will be uploaded and available to view later in the day. Please copy and paste the link to share, or simply click on the link to view the event. https://vimeo.com/event/5870344

Tributes

Mrs. Johnetta Almedia Smith Gillies

December 28, 1944 - April 4, 2026