Vernon Smith Family

Vernon Smith was the fourth child of William and Rachel. According to Ancestry records, he was married to Viola, and together they had seven children: Austell, Ulysses, Arthur, Earley, Leon, Cathlene, and Rachel.

Floyd Smith currently lives in Davidson, NC., the Charlotte metropolitan area.  He is the son of Leon and Viola Smith, the grandson of Vernon and Viola Smith, and the great-grandson of William and Rachel Smith.   

Arthur Smith was married to Jennie Eison.  Arthur Smith, the son of Vernon and Viola Smith and grandson of William and Rachel Smith.   

Lewis Smith, the son of Arthur and Jennie Smith, grandson of Vernon and Viola Smith, and great-grandson of William and Rachel Smith.

Pictured left to right, Darren Rice (son of Reather Smith-Rice), Sandra Smith-Morris (daughter of Lewis Smith and Lizzy Gregory-Smith), Jamelle Smith-Batchelor (daughter of Lewis Smith and Lizzy Gregory-Smith) and Dr. Wendolyn Rivers (daughter of Reather Smith-Rice). 

Florence Louise Smith-Gore peacefully transitioned from this life on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. She was the beloved daughter of Arthur and Jennie V. Eison-Smith, granddaughter of Vernon and Viola Smith, and great-granddaughter of William and Rachel Howell-Smith. Born on February 22, 1937, in Union, South Carolina, Louise was the second eldest of eight children.

Louise accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized by Rev. J.R. Ezell. She became a dedicated member of Bethel Baptist Church in Kelton, South Carolina, where she faithfully served and sang in the choir. Her education began in a small rural school called Ebenezer, and she later attended Sims High School in Union, SC. A proud member of the first graduating class of the new Sims High School in 1956, she was also crowned Miss Sims High during her time there.

After graduation, Louise relocated to New York, where she began her professional career with Bell South and later retired from New York City Transit after forty-six years of dedicated service.

Louise later moved to New Jersey, where she became an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. In 2004, she and her family returned to South Carolina and united with Zion Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, serving faithfully on the Missionary Ministry and singing in the Adult Choir. She later reconnected with her home church, Bethel Baptist Church, where she continued to serve on the Missionary and Pastor’s Aide Ministries. Additionally, she was a proud member of the Enterprise O.E.S. Chapter #105. Louise remained devoted in service and faith until her health began to decline.

To know Louise was to love her, and to be loved by her was a true blessing. We thank God for granting us 88 beautiful years with our beloved matriarch.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gore Sr.; parents, Arthur and Jennie V. Eison-Smith; siblings, Azalee “Cookie” Byrd, Lewis F. Smith, Leaundus Smith, Ora Mae Smith, and Annie Smith; as well as her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory: her devoted children, Charles Gore Jr., Yvette Gore-Bell (Anthony), Lorraine Gore, Johnathan Gore, and Jasmin Gore (of the home and caregiver); stepchildren, Larnell Lindsey and Allen Williams; siblings, Reather Rice and Lozabell Foster; and stepbrother, James Gregory. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Gregory McRae, Raymond McRae, Allen Williams, and Shakirah Wooldbridge; great-grandchildren, Jesse Rice (of the home), Anthony, Jalina, Tiana, Magic, Jalasia, Justus, Reily, Jahzara, Alannah, and Tah’yonni; special sisters-in-law, Barbara Lee Gore and Lizzie Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will forever hold her in their hearts.

 

Reather Smith-Rice is the daughter of Arthur and Jennie Eison-Smith, granddaughter of Vernon and Viola Smith, and great-granddaughter of William and Rachel Smith.

Above is a recent picture of some of the descendants of Vernon and Viola Smith.  Pictured seated in the center of the photograph is Reather Smith-Rice.