Viola M. Smith was born on March 15, 1940, in Jasper, Texas, to the late Hobie and Jessie Smith. Viola attended Rowe Elementary in Jasper, Texas, and later earned her GED. She worked various jobs and later went to work for Louisiana Pacific in Jasper, Texas, where she worked for over twenty five years and retired. Viola enjoyed working in her yard, watching games shows, and football games.

Viola met and married her love, the late Drudie Smith, and they shared thirty-eight years, until his death. Viola attended Peaceful Rest Baptist Church in Jasper, Texas, all her life. She was a faithful member as part of the choir and Senior Mission, until her health declined, then death.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Drudie Smith; parents, Hobie and Jessie Smith; two brothers, H.C. Smith and George Smith; and three sisters, Addie P. Little, Sadie Scott, and Norma Amos.

She leaves to cherish her memory: three sons, Paul Smith, Morris J. Smith, and Aaron B. Smith; two daughters, Anna Smith and LaKeitha Smith; goddaughters, Renesha Fobbs and Kelsy Berry; nine grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; one brother, Willie Smith (Pauline); two sisters, Eddie J. Hadnot (Hubert) and Rowena Good; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.