Lola J. Smith

 Lola Jane (McWherter) Smith, 85 from Fort Myers, Florida passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Lola was born June 4, 1934 in Derry, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Miles C. and Sara "Nell" Luther McWherter. 
Lola is survived by her husband, Gerald B. Smith, Jr. and her sister Elsie (Honey) Barney, also of Fort Myers, FL. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers James L. McWherter, David M. McWherter, Sr. and her sister Louise E. Swartz.
Nieces and nephews include the late Karen Dykes; Linda and her husband, Rodney Langdon of Valley Cottage, NY, Janet Casey of Enfield, CT, Susan Wells of Latrobe, PA, the late David McWherter, Jr.; Amy and her husband, Richard Kuhns, Thomas McWherter and his wife, JoAnne, and Richard S. McWherter and his wife, Kimberly, all of Derry, PA, and Daniel McWherter and his wife, Anna, of Slippery Rock, PA; as well as many loving great and great-great nieces and nephews. 
With no children of her own, she would often call her students and all of her nieces and nephews, “her kids.” Lola loved crafting her own personalized, stamped greeting cards and never missed sending birthday or holiday cards to all of her family, friends and extended family. Long after we all stopped counting birthdays and sending cards and letters, she made sure she always remembered you!
Lola was guided by her faith in every aspect of her life. A talented singer since her youth, she was always active in her school and church choirs and often was invited to share her solos with congregations in the many states that she lived and traveled to. After graduating from Derry Borough schools, Lola's joyous spirit and strong compassion for children everywhere guided her to become a teacher, earning her certification at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. 
She retired from teaching in upstate New York in 1989, where she taught kindergarten classes for many years in the Clarkstown Central School District, Rockland County, NY. After retirement, she and her husband Gerry moved to Fort Myers, FL where she enjoyed many happy years with babysitting, her involvement with many local church activities, her community volunteer work, serving as a Deaconess at the Village Church at the Shell Point retirement community in Fort Myers, and of course, fellowship with her sister, Elsie.
When Lola was asked how she wanted to be remembered she wrote, "That I loved the Lord and tried to serve Him daily. Through my acts and deeds I tried to witness for the Lord in all my relationships with family and friends."
A special thanks to the staff at the Memory Care Pavilion and hospice at Shell Point Community in Fort Myers, FL. 
Interment and a private graveside service for the family will be at Coles Cemetery in Derry, PA. There will be no public viewing or public service.

McCabe Funeral Home, 300 W. Third Avenue, Derry, PA is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.
 
If desired, donations may be made in her memory at the charity of your choice.