Berneice Smith

Berneice (Bunty) Smith, 92, of Savannah, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, when she passed away on Friday, July 12. She was born in Tishomingo, Mississippi, on August 18, 1931, the daughter of the late Audie and Bonnie Rutherford.
On Feb. 16, 1957, she was united in marriage to Lawrence L. Smith who preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 2019.
Her favorite phrase was “It’s in the Lord’s hands” and she truly believed that was the best place for it. She didn’t get nervous or worried when she became ill because, to her, death only meant finally meeting her Savior face to face and being reunited with many loved ones.
Bunty was a loving servant of Jesus, a loving wife and a loving mother -- and she worked tirelessly for them all. For many years, she would get up at 4 a.m. so she could spend time reading her Bible and praying before getting her husband off to work and her sons off to school with a full breakfast. Then she worked until 10 p.m., or later, and started all over again.
On the weekends, even though she did not like speaking in front of people, she would teach Sunday School when asked -- and she was asked often. Her love for Jesus shone through so much that, even though her voice always shook a bit with nervousness as she spoke, Jesus was accepted as Lord and Savior during her class and years later, many still said she was the best teacher they ever had.
After she retired, she spent several hours per day praying, reading her Bible and finding ways to help people in need. And she was as generous with her money as she was with her time, often giving her Social Security to someone in need.
She retired from Packaging Corporation of America after 27 years in the accounting department and she was a member of Living Word Fellowship Assembly of God Church.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill Rutherford, Alfred (Red) Rutherford and Donald Rutherford; and by her sisters Montie Rutherford, Doris Rutherford, Dean Barnoski, and Nancy Pharr.
She is survived by her loving sons, Bobby Smith and Kevin Smith; one sister, Jackie Champion; and too many nieces and nephews to name.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.” -- Psalm 116:15
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” -- 2 Timothy 4:8
In lieu of food or flowers, please make a donation to a church or Christian charity.
Memorial services were held on Wednesday, July 17, at Living Word Fellowship in Savannah, with Ronnie Sanders officiating. Burial followed at Neill Cemetery in Savannah.