Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith, our beloved Yia Yia, 84, of Centralia passed away surrounded by her devoted family, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. She was born on April 30, 1939, the daughter of John and Bertha (Drokos) Deley in Centralia. She married the love of her life, Leroy Smith on July 30, 1961, in Centralia and he preceded her in death.

Survivors include her cherished family, children, Steve Smith of Sandoval, and Kristi (Rod) Garnier of Centralia; grandchildren, Macey Smith, Matthew Garnier, and Andrew Garnier; sister Kathy Connaway; brother-in-law, Butch (Karon) Smith; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Along with her husband, Leroy Smith, Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Charles and Wilma Smith.

Bessie was a true entrepreneur, serving as owner, operator of Smith’s Amoco in Centralia for 37 years, where she was the heart and soul of the business. She was of the Greek Orthodox faith and extremely proud of her Greek heritage. Bessie loved to make sure no one went away from her table hungry, cooking delicious Greek dishes and baking homemade bread. Bessie liked to celebrate her favorite team the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed a good round of cards with her friends. She could grow anything in the garden, from beautiful flowers to sharing vegetable starters with her family. Bessie loved to be outdoors, and when she wasn’t nurturing her flowers, she could be found by the water fishing. She will be remembered for her love of animals, graciously volunteering to watch over her family’s dogs, and especially spoiling her dog, Nicky. Yia Yia’s grandchildren captured her heart as soon as they were born, and she was always ready to support them. She would be the first one there for any school or sporting event proudly watching her grandchildren succeed. Bessie was an amazing example to her friends and family and will be deeply missed.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2023, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Father Jon Magoulias officiating. The family asks that everyone dress casually for services. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Bessie’s honor to Six Lemons. Online condolences and memories of Bessie may be shared with her family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bessie Smith, please visit our floral store.