Gladys B. "Tiny" Smith (92) of Effingham

Gladys B. “Tiny” Smith, 92, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or to the family. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Gladys was born on September 20, 1928, in Clay County, Illinois, the daughter of Ray and Lucy (Thompson) Blackwell, and spent much of her early years there. Tiny attended elementary school at Oskaloosa and graduated from North Clay High School. She was first employed at Brown’s Shoe Factory. She married Joseph Smith on March 4, 1949, in Iola, IL and they lived there on the farm for a few years before moving to Effingham in the mid 1950’s. He preceded her in death on May 20, 1986.

Tiny worked at a sewing factory and later as a beautician in her own home. She also worked in a gift shop in Effingham and as a hostess at Garrett Hall. Tiny was a member of First Baptist Church in Effingham and served the church in various positions. She also volunteered at the Cross.

Tiny is survived by her siblings, Harry (Vera) Blackwell, Ella Ann (Bob) Starkey, and Connie (Mac) McAllister; sister-in-law, Connie (Gary, deceased) Blackwell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe; and siblings, Ruth Maxine Blackwell, Agness Butts, Bobbie Lee Blackwell, Billy Blackwell, Clifford Blackwell, Tom Blackwell, and Gary Blackwell.