Obits — August 28, 2019
Striffler-Hamby
Velna M. Smith
Mrs. Velna M. Smith, 81, of LaGrange, GA peacefully passed away early Sunday morning from Wellstar West Georgia Hospice. Mrs. Smith was born December 25, 1937 in Clay County, AL to the late K.C. Messer and Ida Mae Pence Messer. For a Number of Years, she was a Monitor on Special Needs buses for the Troup County School System. Mrs. Velna was the epitome of “lady-like”—she had a gentle nature, a smile on her face, and a song on her lips. Her love for family and friends was without equal. She was her happiest humming and rocking grandbabies, feeding and entertaining her loved ones at their home by the lake, attending church on Sundays and being a devoted wife to the love of her life, Ken. Ken and Velna built a beautiful life and legacy together over a span of 63 years. Their story began as teenagers when Ken saw her and thought she was the “prettiest thing he ever saw”—and then proceeded to steal bites of her popcorn at the drive-in movie theater. They were married 6 months later. It was a perfect beginning to a beautiful lifelong love story. Even though Mrs. Velna is no longer with us in her physical body, her spirit will live on. Her love and gentle kindness will never be forgotten by any who knew her. The world will forever be a sweeter place for her having lived in it. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers and one grandson, Jacob. Those left to cherish her memory, her husband, Kenneth M. Smith, Sr.; children, Ken Smith, Jr., Rhonda (Bruce) Wilson, and Ricky (Sheri) Smith; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two sisters, Loree Worley and Deane Carlson; a dear friend of the family, Jerry Thornton; several other relatives and friends. The Gathering of Family and Friends was held Monday, August 26, 2019 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the funeral home. The Memorial Service was held at 11:00am Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary. A private family interment followed in Restlawn Memory Gardens. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to West Georgia Hospice in memory of Velna M. Smith. Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.
Higgins
Virginia Sloan Malone
Virginia Sloan Malone, of LaGrange, passed away on August 24, 2019 at the WellStar West Georgia Hospice. Graveside services were held at Shadowlawn Cemetery on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 1 p.m.
McKibben
Alyssa Kathleen Zuniga
Ms. Alyssa Kathleen Zuniga, 28, of Hogansville, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. Alyssa was born December 1,1990, in El Paso, Texas. She had lived in Massachusetts before moving to Hogansville in 2015 where she worked at Cracker Barrel in LaGrange. Alyssa was extremely positive and happy individual who loved to laugh and a true inspiration to others. Survivors include her mother, Vickie Uroz (Scott Pruitt) of Hogansville; father, Edward Zuniga of Colorado; brothers, Edward Zuniga, Jr. (Nicole Hunter) and Matthew Joseph Franklin Johnson, all of Hogansville; niece, Moiraine Amethera Zuniga, nephew, Edward Hunter Zuniga of Hogansville; grandparents, Ann Louise Smith and Flavia Zuniga, both of El Paso, Tx., Steven John and Brenda Neal Uroz, of Hogansville; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home.
