Dova Esther Smart,

Dova Esther Smart, age 97 passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at Trinity Villages on Springs Road. Born on March 16, 1917, to the late Chancey and Pamelia Peeler Crowder, in Cleveland County, she was retired from a career in food services, having worked in some of the most well known cafeteria's in the area. She will always be remembered as a Women's Sunday School teacher in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Valdese; Grace Baptist, Taylorsville: Tri-City Baptist, and Gateway Baptist, both of Hickory.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Grady N. Smart as well as all six of her siblings and a daughter Gayna Smart Futrell.
She is survived by her daughter, Jan and husband Bobby Phillips, a son Joey and wife, Deborah Smart, all  of Hickory. One grandson, Neal Smart, of Los Angeles, Ca. Step-grandson Darryl Phillips and wife Anita, step-granddaughter, Deborah Phillips Belk all of Hickory. Step-granddaughter, Toni Burke of Selingsgrove, Pa. Step-granddaughter Emily Futrell of Hickory. Her honorary grandchildren are Todd Clontz, and Todd and Tonya Sudderth. She has seven step great-granddaughters, Jennifer Phillips Queen and husband Joshua, Anna Belk Cheek and husband Jonathan, Lauren Belk, Katherine Belk, Hope Burke, Summer Hendrix and Elise Debev. Three step great-grandsons, Drew Phillips, Thomas Belk and Christian Burke. Two step great great-granddaughters, Maggie Lynn and Lily Jane Queen.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at Gateway Baptist Church, Newton, from 12 noon, until 1:30, with funeral services beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the church. Pallbearers will be Todd Clontz, Roland Hedgepeth, Todd Sudderth, Charles Tomblin, Mike Auton, and Jake Curtis. The Rev. Jerome Walker, Rev. Richard Hicks, Rev. Mark Morris and Rev. Stan Frye will officiate. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Hickory.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Village, 1256 21st St. NE Hickory, NC 28681 in memory of Mrs. Smart.