- Date Of Birth: September 9, 1935
- Date Of Death: February 20, 2022
- State: Georgia
Thelma Louise Rainey Smith born September 9, 1935, died Sunday, February 20, 2022, at her home surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was 86 years old and a life-long resident of Newnan. She was the daughter of the late Mary Lou Coggin Rainey and Clen Leard Rainey. She is survived by her husband Arthur Wilmer Smith and her sister Linda Rainey Yarbrough. After a short courtship, Louise married Arthur Wilmer Smith on October 10, 1953. This union of 68 years produced four children; Jane (Lyn) Johnston; Brett (Nancy) Smith; Deborah Ward; and Mary Faye (Warren) Moore. Quickly following were 12 grandchildren and in short order 28 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren with 2 more to arrive soon. She was a major influence in all their lives. Louise devoted the first years of marriage to tending the home for their four children. She began her career as a librarian by working for the Carnegie Library and worked there for three years. Her passions were reading, teaching, and watching old movies. She brought her zeal for reading to so many. When her youngest began first grade, she pursued her goal and received her degree in Library Science from The State University of West Georgia and later received her Specialist Degree. She worked for the Coweta County School System for thirty-three years and impacted countless young people and fostered her love of books. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church and she served her church teaching Sunday School. Her classes were an inspiration to many. Louise and Wilmer spent much of their time traveling. They traveled all over the United States, Canada, and six of the seven continents. Two of their favorite places to visit were Hawaii and Colorado.
