Bernice Leota (Brinkerhoff) Smith

Bernice Leota Smith, age 94, formerly of 145 Mansfield Avenue, Shelby, died Sunday afternoon, December 20, 1998 at Med Central Shelby Hospital.

Mrs. Smith was born April 5, 1904 in Shelby, the daughter of the late Mortimer S. and Grace Alma (Kinney) Brinkerhoff. She was a homemaker and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Shelby and Rizpah Chapter 153 Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Smith was a former member of the Richland County Fair Board.

She is survived by 1 daughter and son-in-law: Donna and Ben Lay of Shelby; 1 son: G. Desmond Smith of Shelby; 5 grandchildren: Katherine Harris, Linda Lemmon, Matthew Smith, David Lay and Brenda Herb; 10 great grandchildren; 1 brother: Roeliff Loomis of Shelby; 1 sister-in-law: Helen Kinsell of Shelby.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Burch Henry Smith in 1975; 2 grandchildren; 2 brothers: Leo and Maynard Brinkerhoff; 2 sisters: Irene Brown and Florence Lego; and a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth H. “Betty” Smith.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 5 -8 p.m. at the Turner Funeral Home in Shelby and also one hour prior to the funeral service which will be held at 11 :00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Rev. James Humphrey officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby.

Memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association.