Gwendolyn Maxine Smith

She was born in Long Island, KS to the late Arges Edmund Halderman and Myrtle Hoover Halderman. Her mother died one day prior to Gwendolyn’s first birthday. Her aunt, Evelyn Halderman Fisher stepped in to help raise her and her two brothers. Melvin and Gwendolyn worked side by side in new home construction for many years. Gwendolyn was a member of Apison Baptist Church and very devoted to her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Eugene Lawson and Melvin E. Smith, Jr.; her two brothers, Lyle Kent Halderman and Lowell Nathan Halderman and step-son, Earl Smith.

Survivors include her children, Lowell K. Lawson and Donna J. (Eddie) Long; step-children, Patricia Strange and her companion, Garry and Richard (Carol) Smith; six grandchildren, Caleb (Sarah) Long, Autumn (Matthew) Turner, Emily (John) Belitz, Katie (Bryan) Welch, Brittany (Daniel) Whittenburg and Rick (Jordyn) Smith; ten great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Ben, Conard, Grady, Avery, Landon, Nash, Finley, Colt and Deacon; nephew, A.K. Poe; her cousin, Jean Holt, whom Gwendolyn considered as her sister; special friends, Skip and Kellie Dean, who were there when she needed them.

The family wishes to give a special thank you to the staff of Hearth Hospice for their love and care they gave Gwendolyn and her family.

There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

A Memorial service will be held at 6 PM Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Plowman Cemetery with Dr. Barry O’Neal, a devoted family friend, and Rev. Betsy Denton will be officiating.

Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories of Gwendolyn.

Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.