Vesta Smith

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Vesta Smith, age 73, of Du Quoin, Ill., passed away on Jan. 27, 2012 in Fair Acres Nursing Home, Du Quoin, Ill.

Vesta was born on Dec. 28, 1938 in Logan, Ill., the daughter of Estel James "Fat" and Lola "Doe" (Melvin) Bradley. On April 25, 1961, she married James Andrew "Smitty" Smith and he preceded her in death on November 10, 2000. Vesta worked at Marshall Browning Hospital, Fairview Nursing Home, State Farm Insurance and the Farm Fresh Dairy Store. She enjoyed playing trivia on WDQN, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Du Quoin Indians fan and was a wonderful cook and had won many awards and contests for her recipes. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Vesta is survived by three daughters, Vanessa (Mike) Fleming Sr., Jama Drysdale and Anthony Spiller Sr. and Mindy (Jorge) Perez all of Du Quoin; 11 grandchildren, Michael Fleming Jr. of West Frankfort, Ill., Ashley and David Sneed of Murphysboro, Ill., Summer Drysdale and Shane Bonner of Sesser, Ill., Shantal Drysdale, Anthony Spiller, Jr., Cameron Spiller, Kelsey Smith, Issiah Dunklin, Imari Dunklin, Josyah Perez and Javier Perez; two great grandchildren, Sydney Fleming of Mulkeytown Ill. and Pierson Shelton of Murphysboro, Ill.; three sisters, Joyce Anthony of Thompsonville, Ill., Betty Reckinger of West Frankfort, Ill. and Carolyn (Deon) Kirk of Logan, Ill.; two brothers, James (Brenda) Bradley of Logan, Ill. and Gary (Cynthia) Bradley of Benton, Ill. and 27 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; one sister, Barbara Meacham of Logan, Ill.; one niece; three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Graveside services were held at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Du Quoin, Ill. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends were asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Smith family.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, Ill. was in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.