Vernell Pardue Smith

November 4, 2018

Vernell, 91, went to her heavenly home Tuesday morning, October 30, 2018, at her home in Cantonment, Florida, peacefully, with her loving daughter and caregiver, Betty, at her side.

She was born May 20, 1927, in Cullman, Alabama to William David Pardue and Zelma Mae Day Pardue. She lost her mother to tuberculosis when she was only 4 years old and was extremely close to her older sister Ruth and baby sister Maxine as a result. Later, at the young age of 16, and near the end of World War II she became a “Rosie the Riveter”, welding on Liberty ships in Portland Oregon. She worked in the date fields in Indio, California and traveled the country as a Navy wife. Nell was an amazing seamstress. She sewed for her children, not always needing a pattern. She crocheted and made several keepsake afghans and quilts that will be forever treasured. She crafted stuffed bunnies and bears and delighted in dressing them just so.

Nell was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who adored being with family and friends. She was an excellent cook and she especially loved holidays. She had a playful side that was enjoyed by all. She loved coffee and could drink it all day, even on the hottest days. She and her husband, Glenn, loved to camp in their motorhome and did so until he passed in 1992 leaving a tremendous hole in her heart. She was his bride and his baby.

Life has a way of throwing curves and Nell faced her share of heartache but her family is so grateful God allowed them to have her for so many years. They know she is whole again and having many glorious reunions in heaven today. This eases the terrible loss they feel but they know she is happy and they will see her again.

Nell was preceded in death by her parents;  her loving husband of 23 years, Hosie Glenn Smith; the fathers of her children, Emmett Wesley Nail, Jr. and Ervin George Gardner, Jr.; her baby son, George David Gardner; her sister, Ruth Pardue Alverson (Alfred); her brothers, Eddie Pardue, McDuffy Pardue, Junior Pardue, Donald Pardue, James Pardue, Ollie Pardue, and Wendall Pardue.

She is survived by her daughters, Betty Jean Nail and Janet Lavern Gardner Enfinger (Adrian) of Cantonment, Florida, and Zelma Diane Gardner Blackman (Larry) of Valparaiso, Florida; eight grandchildren, Karen Hatcher (Larry), Darlene Holmes (Russ), Linda Tatum (Andy), Larry Blackman, Jr., Ryan Blackman (Lisa), Travis Blackman (Hilda), Alicia Janell Doran (Jerry), and Kari Morrison (Ryan); 11 great-grandchildren, Justin Hatcher (Lindsey), Katelyn Hatcher, Jared
Tatum, Brandon Tatum, Kayla Tatum, Heather Verhaagh (Nick), Alyssa Cook (Chris), Elizabeth Blackman, Bennett Blackman, Brianna Blackman, and Ethan Morrison; and three great-great-grandchildren, Easton Verhaagh, Henry Verhaagh, and Ryker Cook; four sisters, Maxine Oliver (Carl) of Cullman, Alabama, Linda Faye Taylor of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Gail Ragsdale (Boyce) of Wetumpka, Alabama, and Connie Milam (Roy) of Childersburg, Alabama; three brothers, Jerrell Pardue of Westover, Alabama, Eddie Pardue (Pat) of Harpersville, Alabama, and Joe Pardue (Diane) of Childersburg, Alabama and many special nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services were held Friday, November 2, 2018, in the Chapel of Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment, Florida.

Pallbearers were Larry Hatcher, Andy Tatum, Justin Hatcher, Jared Tatum, Chris Cook, Ryan Morrison, and Jerry Doran.

Honorary pallbearers were Larry Blackman, Jr., Ryan Blackman, Travis Blackman, Bennett Blackman, Brandon Tatum, Ethan Morrison, Jerrell Pardue, Joe Pardue, and Eddie Pardue.

The family would like to give a very special thank you to Regency Hospice and especially Heather, Erika, Tammy, Whitney, Darlene, Tony, Diane, Debra, Carolyn, Elise, and Pastor Ricky for their loving care and compassion shown to all during these difficult days.

In lieu of flowers donations in Nell’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Florida or Regency Hospice.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries