Nellena Fae Smith, 71, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
She was preceded in death by her father, E. Martin Smith, Sr.
Nellena was born in Dalton and graduated from Dalton High School in 1966. She earned a BA degree from Shorter College, an MS from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and an Ed.S. from Lincoln Memorial University.
Her career in education spanned 33 years, all for the Whitfield County Schools. She taught third and fifth grades at Tunnel Hill Elementary where she was lead math teacher. She then taught gifted resource at Eastside and Varnell Elementary Schools. Prior to becoming an educator, Nellena worked as a field executive with the Girls Scouts in North Carolina. She also directed Girl Scout camps in Dalton and Mableton.
Nellena had avid interests in crafts, local history and genealogy. She was an exhibitor at the Prater’s Mill Country Fair for decades. She was a member of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, the Robert Loughridge chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Dalton First United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her mother, Louise B. Smith, and her brother, Martin Smith, Jr.
Services will be Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Love Funeral Home with Rev. David Moore and Rev. Sandra Smith Franklin officiating.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, P.O. Box 6180, Dalton, GA 30722-6180.