Lois May Smith, of Tampa, Fla., was called home to await her crown of glory on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 at 12:44 a.m.

She was born April 24, 1929 to the late Monroe and Jo Anna May in Tylertown, Miss. She was a faithful member of St. John Temple COGIC, Bogalusa, under the leadership of the late Bishop John W. White. At she served as president of the Pastor’s Aide Board, a member of the Sewing Circle, the Home and Foreign Mission, hospitality and choir.

Later in life, she met and married Elder Edward A. Smith.

After moving to Tampa in 1989, she served as a mother of Full Gospel COGIC. Later she became a member of College Hill COGIC. She was a virtuous woman. She always put God first and taught her family to do the same.

She leaves to cherish memories of her one son Joel (Viola) Miller Sr.; a most loving ex-daughter-in-law, Carolyn Galloway; two daughters, Cora (Lionel) Fields of Bogalusa and Felicia Smith Clark of Tampa; six brothers, Harlin (Barbara) May, Perry (Lucille) May, Jerry (Tommie Louise) May Sr., Monroe May, David (Jessie) May of Angie and Leroy May of Tampa; three sisters, Aran Nicholson of Angie, Irma Lee Taylor of Bogalusa and Vernell Esper of Irvine, Calif.; 16 grandchildren, Joel Jr., Christie, Lanita and Carol Jo Anna Miller, Lanita Miller Jones, Tammy Renee Carter, Robert E., Aunitra, Rhonda, April, Alton, Jabus and Robert L. Fields and Edward, Infonta and Jessica Clark; 60 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elder A. Smith; two brothers, Curtis May and Terry May Sr.; two sisters, Vergie Lee Robinson and Ernestine (Monia) Ball; two stepsons, Edward Smith Jr. and John Miller; and one grandson, Jabus Fields.

A home going celebration was held on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the College Hill COGIC, 6414 N. 30th St. Tampa, at 2 p.m., with the Pastor Supt. Charles Davis officiating.