RIDGE GROVE, Ala.  — Mrs. Laverne Smith 86, of Ridge Grove, Ala. died Thursday May 17, 2018 at her residence.  Mrs. Smith was born in Clay County, Ala. on March 16, 1932 to the late Grady Birchfield and the late Mae Railey Birchfield, She was a member of the Center Baptist Church, where she served first as the church pianist and then church organist for the past 72 years. She was a homemaker and also retired from the US Postal Service.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. CDT Saturday May 19, 2018 at the Center Baptist Church with burial to follow at the church cemetery, with the Rev. Randall Hamer and the Rev. Jimmy Allen officiating. Visitation was held Friday at the church from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

She is survived by her four daughters: Sandra (Wayne) Gillenwaters and Dinah Smith, both of Ridge Grove; Deborah (Rev. Randall) Hamer of Lanett, and DeAnne (Nick) DeWeese of Auburn, Ala.; a sister, Lemerle Gilmore of Auburn, nine grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. 

Donations may be made to the Center Baptist Church Children’s Fund  2511 County Road 33  LaFayette, Alabama  36862  On line condolences may be sent to jeffjonesfuneralhome.com, Jeff Jones Funeral Home, LaFayette, Ala., is handling the arrangements.