Vera Dozier Swift Smith T
Vera Dozier Swift Smith T of Opelika passed away on February 10, 2018. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and an avid supporter of the Opelika community.
She held a deep and abiding love for her Lord Jesus Christ. Her many friends and family members mourn her passing, after an extended fight with cancer.
Mrs. Smith T was born on December 4, 1935 in Columbus, Georgia, the child of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Swift. She was one of four daughters. Mrs. Smith T graduated from Columbus High School in 1953. She attended Mt. Vernon College in Washington, D.C. She returned to Columbus where she went to work, and in 1959, she married Winston Smith T, Jr. of Opelika, Alabama who preceded her in death on June 5, 2007. The couple was married for 48 years and had five children, all of whom survive her: Vera Smith T, Britton (I. Ripon Britton, Jr., Birmingham); Edith Smith T Walker (Hon. Jacob A. Walker III, Opelika); Alma Swift Smith T (Opelika); John Winston Smith T (Mandi N. Smith T, Birmingham); and Dozier Harris Smith T (Dr. Sara S. Smith T, Opelika). She counted among her most treasured blessings her thirteen grandchildren who also survive her: Rip Britton, III (Jennifer); Mary Winston Walker; John Harris Britton; Winston Smith T; Scott Britton; Henry Smith T; Jack Smith T; Sara Hollis Smith T; Jacob Walker; Dozier Smith T; Lindsey Smith T; Vera Elizabeth Smith T; and Joanne Smith T.
Mrs. Smith T devoted her life to her faith, her family, and her community. She was very active at First Presbyterian Church of Opelika, where she taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, organized countless church activities and was a member of the choir. She worked tirelessly in Prison Ministries.
She served as president of the Presbyterian Women and was an enthusiastic supporter of world missions. She was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames. She was named Queen of the inaugural Mardi Gras in Columbus, Georgia, in 1959. She was also a devotee of music, a supporter of the fine arts, and a benefactor of the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. She supported many other civic, educational and charitable causes in the Lee County area with both time and talent. The humble and gracious manner in which she lived out her faith and conducted her affairs throughout her life set forth a compelling example of the Christian walk that touched the lives of so many and brought glory to our Father in heaven.
Mrs. Smith T is survived by her two sisters (her twin sister Alma Swift Winn of Columbus and Mary Swift Berry of Atlanta), two sisters-in- law (Dr. Joanne Smith T of Opelika and Virginia Smith T Barnes of Clarksdale, Mississippi) and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Her elder sister, Barbara Swift Pound, preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church of Opelika at 2:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, followed by visitation at the church fellowship hall. A graveside service for family was at 12:30 p.m. CST at Rosemere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts be given to either First Presbyterian Church of Opelika (Building Fund), 900 2 nd Avenue, Opelika, Alabama 36801, or African Inland Mission for the benefit of Paul and Virginia Tanner, https://usgiving.aimint.org/missionary/1057500.