Ina 'Bea' Smith
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. -- Ina Beatrice (Bea) VanLandingham Smith, 92, of Warner Robins, Ga., went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. A daughter of the late Morris Chester and Eliza Spikes VanLandingham, Bea grew up on a farm in Black, Ala., where she worked in the fields, played basketball after school, only to run home before dark. She was the widow of Felder Eugene Smith. They had been married 62 years. She and Felder had been residents of Warner Robins since 1944.
Bea began her working career at the Ordnance Plant in Macon, Ga., during World War II. She and Felder opened their home during the war to several family members, allowing them the opportunity to work at then Robins Field. In later years, her nephew, Jimmy VanLandingham, lived with them while a co-op engineering student at Robins Air Force Base (RAFB). He helped Bea plant many beautiful flowers and shrubs in the yard and helped her learn to drive at the age of 42. Bea retired from federal civil service at RAFB after a 25-year career, which included assignments as an under aircraft supplies inspector and as a secretary with the Office of Special Investigations.
Bea and Felder were charter members of Trinity United Methodist Church in 1960, after being members of First United Methodist Church since 1944. Bea had a servant's heart for God and taught Sunday School, worked with children and youth, led Bible studies and Home Fellowship groups, sang with the choral group "Joyful Noise" and served on the Administrative Board, Council on Ministries and many other committees. She was a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School class, the Trinity Prime Timers and the United Methodist Women's Wesleyan Circle.
In 1963, through the Macon District Methodist Youth Fellowship, Bea and Felder opened their home to an exchange student, Ruth Wagner, from Germany for a year. She became like a second daughter to them and kept in touch with her and her family throughout the years. In 1987, Bea and Felder traveled to Germany to visit with Ruth and her family.
Bea was very active with United Methodist Women and received special recognition and membership awards for her faithful service. In 2005, she was recognized as state Methodist Church Woman of the Year. She also promoted and served diligently in the Church Women United organization both locally and at the state level, serving at various times as state president, vice president, secretary and ecumenical action chair. One of Bea's main interests was the Church Women United's project, the Warner Robins Day Care Center, now known as Cherished Children. She chaired its board, was secretary and served on several committees. In January 2008, she and Jean Coleman were honored with an appreciation dinner for their many years of faithful service to the day care center. Bea was also noted for other volunteer work in the community, including the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Warner Robins Civitan Club, Warner Robins Senior Citizens Club and was a founding member of the Robinettes Homemaker Club. During the flood in 1994, Bea and Felder could be seen handing out food and water from their home to their neighbors.
Bea was an expert seamstress, a master gardener (both vegetables and flowers) and was an outstanding cook. She had the gift of hospitality and shared many home-cooked delights with family and friends. Her chicken pot pies, chicken and dumplings, homemade rolls and fried apple pies were in great demand at family and covered dish dinners, as well as various fundraisers. She even made fried apple pies at St. John's United Methodist Church's Apple Fest in Aiken for several years.
Bea loved to travel with Felder. They visited every state in the United States and a number of foreign countries, culminating in an around-the-world cruise when they were 80 years old! She toured Israel, Athens, Corinth and Rome with a group from Trinity UMC in 1974, walking in the footsteps of Jesus and Paul.
Bea was predeceased by her husband, Felder; her son, James Benjamin (JB) Smith; her granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Endler, as well as brothers and sisters, Enos VanLandingham, Dillie VanLandingham Black, Elmer VanLandingham, Adelle VanLandingham, Minnie Belle VanLandingham Black, Tassie VanLandingham, Alton VanLandingham, Huey VanLandingham, Curtis VanLandingham and Royce VanLandingham.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Linda (Rick) Endler of Aiken; daughter-in-law Joan Smith of Hoschton, Ga.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Endler (Jimmy) Wells of Houston, Texas, Julie (Jeff) Hocutt of Ft. White, Fla., and Jill (Jeff) Hunter of Johns Creek, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Jeramiah and Jaylynne Hocutt of Ft. White, Fla., and Ashley and Jake Hunter of Johns Creek, Ga.; sister-in-law and traveling companion, Cora Griffeth of Cumming, Ga.; sister-in-law, Ruby Young of Thomaston, Ga.; brother-in-law, Clinton (Betty) Smith of Thomaston, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Bill Bagwell officiating. Interment will follow in Magnolia Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Cherished Children, 511 Myrtle St., Warner Robins, GA 31093, Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Dr., Warner Robins, GA 31088, or Trinity United Methodist Church, Warner Robins, GA 31088.
Visit www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the online registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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