Nov. 19, 1908 – Dec. 14, 2011

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Verna Mae McPhail Smith, 103, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at Magnolia House, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Smith was born Nov. 19, 1908, in Brookhaven, the daughter of Clauren Thedford McPhail and Elizabeth Middleton McPhail. She was a member of Parkway Baptist Church and of the DAR. She enjoyed being active in several activities at Parkway Baptist Church, gardening, traveling and needlework.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Barney Edward Smith; and three brothers, Denon, Aubrey and Hartwell McPhail.

Survivors include three daughters, Beverly Vinson and husband, Lonnie, of Natchez, Diane Land and husband, Dr. Robert Land, of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and Genyth DeSalvo and husband, Mike, of New Orleans; one sister, Marvel Gartman of Houston; six grandsons, Kevin Cupit and wife, Alison, of Vacherie, La., Kennon Cupit of Mobile, Ala., Jason Vinson of Hattiesburg, David Land and wife, Cari, of Austin, Texas, Michael DeSalvo of Atlanta and Matthew DeSalvo of Boston; one granddaughter, Jennifer Hall and husband, Dr. David Hall, of Tulsa, Okla.; two step-grandchildren, Melanie Williams of Baton Rouge and Gene Vinson of San Diego; and 10 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Lauren, Will and Wynn Cupit, Lydia, Alyssa, Pierson and Reid Hall and Jack and Owen Land.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

A special thank you to the administrators and caregivers at the Magnolia House.

Memorials may be made to Parkway Baptist Church Building Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.