Mrs. Beth A. Smith Vanderford, age 89, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, died Thursday, April 11, 2024, at The Oaks Bethany in Vidalia after an extended illness.  She was a native of Toombs County, a graduate of Toombs Central School and lived most of her life in Augusta until moving to Fredericksburg, Virginia to be near her son.  She was a telephone operator with Southern Bell and was a member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Lyons while she lived in Toombs County, and later was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church when she made Augusta her home.  Beth was a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed traveling, but her greatest joy was her family.  She is preceded in death by two husbands, Charlie Howell Smith, Sr. and I.G. Vanderford; grandson, Brian Dewayne Smith; parents, Robert Poole and Louella Kight Poole; and sister and brother-in-law, Robbie Lou Dixon and Howell Dixon, Jr.

Her family includes her son, Charlie Howell Smith, Jr. and fiancé Sandy Morris of Fredericksburg, Virginia; brother, Wilbur Poole of Lyons, one granddaughter, Amanda Nadeau and husband Pat of Bryantown, Maryland; one great-grandson, Gavin Nadeau; one niece, Regina Calhoun of Lyons; four nephews, Johnny Dixon of Warner Robins, Danny Dixon and Darryl Poole, both of Lyons and Robert Mitchell of Atlanta; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening, April 18th, from 5:00 until 8:00.

The memorial service will be Friday afternoon, April 19th, at 1:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at a later date at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or by visiting their website at: www.heart.org or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or by visiting their website at: www.cancer.org.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.