FANNIE MAE WELLS SMITH

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Fannie Mae Wells Smith, widow of Clyde Smith, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at her residence, surrounded by family.

Fannie was born on Oct. 30, 1927, in Lee County, the only daughter of the late Johnny Elmore Wells and Minnie Moses Wells. Her maternal grandparents were the late Peter Moses and Emma Cook Moses. Her paternal grandparents were the late Moses Wells and Fannie Durant Wells.

Throughout Fannie's 92 years here on Earth, she impacted the lives of many. She took on several roles but overall her favorites were being a loving, compassionate and caring daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin and neighbor. She truly loved her family, neighbors and friends.

Her mother taught her to read and write at an early age. As a young child, she would read her Bible and memorize scriptures on her summer vacation train rides to Florida to visit her Uncle Luther and Aunt Florence. As a teenager, she worked summers in New York.

A lifelong caregiver for children and adults, she had a passion for caring for others and making sure their needs were met. Without hesitation, when her mother became ill, she became a full-time caregiver. Referred to as the historian and matriarch of her neighborhood, her doors were always open for a visit. Hobbies that brought her joy were cooking, baking, cake decorating, canning and feeding anyone who was hungry. For years, she served as her neighborhood's H Leader and adult literacy coach. She was one of the top Bible scholars on a local inspirational station. Fannie also had a passion for reading, planting beautiful flower beds and was a gifted seamstress. Her love for laughter and a good joke made her sense of humor one of a kind up until her final days.

As a woman of God that diligently served in the church, she was a member of Grace Cathedral for many years. Respectfully known as Mother Smith, she attended service faithfully until her health declined. She was a former member of New Hope COOLJ and Trinity Baptist Church.

Fannie was a graduate of Morris College and attended Sumter Area Technical College.

She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Joyce Ann Scott, Melvetta Smith McGainey and Belinda Smith Josey; two sons, Clyde Ronald Smith (Diane) and Randolph Smith (Bernice); 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two nephews, Johnny M. Wells Jr. and Jackie Wells; one niece, Quinteina Frierson; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Johnny M. Wells, William C. Wells and Benjamin A. Wells; and one grandson, Sean Randall Smith.

Special thanks to Amedisys Hospice and Amedisys Home Health.

Due to COVID-19 guidelines, a private graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Hillside Memorial Park, 3001 Cains Mill Road, Sumter.

A public memorial service will be held at a future date.

The procession will leave at 12:20 p.m. from 15 Frazier St., Sumter.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.