Elizabeth Cantey Allen Smith

Elizabeth Cantey Allen Smith died at her residence in Tennille on November 6, 2013. Mrs. Smith is survived by her four sons, Charles Vestus Smith, Jr., Edwin Allen Smith, William Burton Smith, Thomas Holder Smith and three grandchildren. Mrs. Smith was predeceased by her husband, Charles Vestus Smith, Sr. and her parents Dr. Edwin Whitaker Allen, Sr. and Catherine Spottiswood Tait Allen.


Mrs. Smith was born at Allen’s Invalid Home in Milledgeville, Georgia. Her grandfather, Dr. Henry Dawson Allen, Sr., purchased Oglethorpe University in Midway, in 1890, which is near Milledgeville and the State Sanitarium, with the idea to open a sanitarium for the treatment and care of invalids with chronic mental and nervous diseases. Allen’s Invalid Home, at the time of inception by Dr. Henry Dawson Allen, Sr., was the first psychiatric institution south of Baltimore. Mrs. Smith lived her years from birth until marriage at Allen’s Invalid Home where she assisted helping the patients at said institution. After her grandfather’s death in 1930, her father, Dr. Edwin Whitaker Allen, Sr., and her uncle, Dr. Henry Dawson Allen, Jr., took charge of the patients at Allen’s Invalid Home. Allen’s Invalid Home continued to be a success under the leadership of Mrs. Smith’s father and uncle, because they gave the care and kindness to the patients that has been customary at Allen’s Invalid Home.

Mrs. Smith attended the Paris-Sorbonne University in France and graduated from Wesleyan College. She was a member of The Tennille Methodist Church, Tennille Fine Arts Club and the National Society of Colonial Dames.


Mrs. Smith, upon her marriage, moved to Tennille, subsequently having four boys and her devotion was to her family, raising these four children. She loved not only her four children, but people of all walks of life in Tennille and Washington County. Her beautiful disposition, wonderful smile, and kindness helped encourage all people to succeed no matter what obstacles faced them. She never expressed or thought an unkind word about anyone. She was taught this wonderful character trait by her parents. Even in the face of adversity, she displayed her beautiful smile and words of optimism and hope. Mrs. Smith was a wonderful mother to her children and a wonderful friend to all people, rich and poor, far and wide.


The visitation will be held on Friday, November 8th, 2013 from 4:00 o’clock p.m. until 6:00 o’clock p.m. at May & Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville, GA.


Funeral services will be conducted at Tennille United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 9th, 2013 at 2:00 o’clock p.m. with interment at Zeta Cemetery in Tennille, Georgia.


The pallbearers are her personal friends that were so kind to her during her life: Ben J. Tarbutton, Jr., Benjamin R. Tarbutton, M. Danny Hammock, H. Clifford Sheppard, Jr., Alex Cawthon, Robert L. Childre, James J. Childre, Jr., and C.V. Brookins.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.
www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com