Mrs. Vernnell Smith Blakely's Obituary
Vernnell Smith Blakley was born on March 31, 1942 to the late Eli Smith Sr. and Johnnie B. Bland Smith in Quitman, MS. She received her formal education in the Quitman school systems. She departed this life on Monday, June 22, 2020. She later married Bennie R. Blakley and eventually settled in Chicago, IL where she secured, long-term employment with two major manufacturing companies in that city. Vernnell accepted Christ by way of water baptism in Jesus' name and confessed to receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit right in her home, while under the leadership of a pastor there in Chicago. She relocated back to Quitman, MS and embraced the ministry of Pastor Donald K. Boyd, Sr. She was affectionately known as "Mother Blakley" at Quitman First Church of the Nazarene, serving faithfully in the culinary area of service until her health failed. Vernnell was preceded in death by; her parents, Eli Smith Sr. and Johnnie B. Bland Smith; six brothers: L. D. Smith, Henry L. Smith, Eli Smith Jr, Thomas Smith, and John L. Smith; three sisters: Carrie M. Ruffin, Christie B. Brown, Ethel M. Simmons; and one granddaughter, Tamika S. Morris. She leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Jerry Smith of Laurel, MS and DeAndre B. Blakley; two daughters, Gretchen Kirkwood (Levon Sr) of Gulfport, MS and Felicia Blakley; two sisters, Betty J. Cameron of Quitman, MS and Tommie J. Collins of Vossburg, MS; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews other relatives and friends.
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