Veleda Clay Hogan Smith

Mrs. Veleda Clay Hogan Smith, also known to some as mama and many children as mom mom, dee dee, age 99 of Dover, Delaware, and a native of Smith County, TN passed away in her sleep on May 6, 2026 (three months shy of turning 100 years old) at 11:30 pm in Smyrna, Delaware. Mrs. Velda was born on august 6, 1926, in Jackson County, Granville TN to the late Leslie Clay and Edna McKinley. She received her early education in Jackson County and found a love for church at an early age. She married Douglas Hogan and raised three children, Cynthia Louise, Earl Frank and Richard Douglas Hogan. Her search for work to support her family took her to Knoxville, TN where she worked for several years until the drawing of family (Robert, Lena Mai Sadler and family) brought her and her family back to Smith County, TN. Mrs. Velda was a long-time member of the Mount Pilgram Missionary Baptist Church and ushered there for 60 years. Mrs. Velda was married to James D. Smith in 1971 until his passing on May 7, 1993. Mrs. Velda’s love for children and childcare was evident while working for Joseph and Banita Lane of Carthage, TN. She worked at the Carthage shirt factory as a seamstress and was an avid baker of cakes and pies. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Douglas Hogan, James D. Smith, and her eldest son Earl Frank Hogan. She was also preceded in death by sisters and brothers; Lena Mai Clay Sadler, Annie Elizabeth Wester, George Wirt Clay, John Henry Wester, Fred Harman Wester, and Charley King Wester. Robert Sadler, James Robert Sadler, and Thomas Richard Sadler. She leaves to cherish her memory, a daughter; Cynthia Woodmore, Dover, Delaware and a son, Richard D. (Valerie) Hogan, Middletown, Delaware. Grandson; Richard I. (Stephanie) Hogan, granddaughter; Sherita T. (Keith II) Williams, one great granddaughter; Kimora A. Williams; four great grandsons, Aiden l., Richard l., Jr, Hogan, Keith III, and Kristopher Williams; Newcastle, DE and Philadelphia, PA. Three devoted nephews; Curtis E. Sadler, Hugh E. (Clara) Sadler, Stonewall, TN, Charles R. (Thelma) Skillion, Murfreesboro, TN; niece, Sharon (Charles) Watson, Nashville, TN; cousin, Olivia (Bobby) Gregory, Bethpage, TN; Dil Loretta Hogan, Winter Haven, FL. A host of many relatives, friends, and church family to "serve the lord with gladness!" Funeral services for Mrs. Smith are scheduled to be conducted on Thursday May 14, 2026, at 1PM from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes with Rev. Jerry Payne and Rev Wilkie Winfree officiating. Interment will follow in the Ballard Chapel Cemetery, Stonewall, TN. Visitation with the Smith family will be held on Thursday May 14, 2026 from 11AM until service time at 1 PM. Mrs. Smith's family request memorial donations in her memory be made to Ballard Chapel Methodist Church.

Veleda Clay Hogan Smith

August 6, 1926 - May 6, 2026