Smith/Patterson/Hurley
By: Vicki Burress Roach

George Washington"Wash" Smith was born January 15, 1829 in Pulaski, Giles Co., TN. His first wife, Sarah Harrison, died young between 1861 and 1870. His second wife, Flora Patterson Davis, is my ancestor. She was born ca 1835 in TN. They were married before 1870. He died June 3, 1920 and is buried in Lauderdale Co., AL.

Flora was possibly the daughter of Alexander and Leah Patterson. Flora’s first husband was Prior P. Davis. They married December 15, 1857 in Marshall Co., TN. They were in Marshall Co., TN for the 1860 census.

George and Sarah had; James Franklin Smith, George Washington, Jr, and Mary. George and Flora had; John Jackson Smith, Thomas Turner "Tommy" (my ancestor), Robert Lee and Florence Elizabeth. Flora had two children by Prior Davis, Zachary Prior Davis and Belle Davis.

Thomas Turner "Tommy" Smith was born January 22, 1873 in Lauderdale Co., AL, died February 23, 1941 in Chewalla, McNairy Co., TN. He married Mamie M. Cotton, born August 5, 1871 in Lawrence Co., AL, died August 10, 1939 in Chewalla, McNairy Co., TN. Mamie was the daughter of James Henry Cotton and Nancy Whitman. Thomas and Mamie are both buried in Indian Creek Cem. in Chewalla.

Children of Thomas and Mamie were; James Bryan Smith, Lyman, Pearl, Prentiss Rad (my ancestor), Ollie and Jewell.

Prentiss Rad Smith was born October 24, 1906 in Chewalla TN, married July 14, 1924 and was killed by a train June 17, 1935. He married Vercie Elizabeth Hurley. Both are buried in Indian Creek Cem. in Chewalla.

After the unexpected early death of Prentiss, Vercie had to raise their three young children alone. She spent her life working very hard to provide a living for her family. When their home burned and they lost all their possessions, they lived with friends from their church until they got on their feet again. Vercie moved to Corinth and worked for Weavers Pants Factory and later for Magnolia Hospital. Children of Prentiss and Vercie were; Mildred Louise who married Aaron Timmons and resides in Corinth; Willie Roland who married Nell Jeffries and resides in South Carolina; Ouida Faye who married Rev. Bobby Neal Burress and resides in Corinth.