Freida (Smith) Dews

Freida Smith Dews, 101, died May 27, 2022 in Conyers, Georgia. She was born in Tattnall County on October 19, 1920, and raised on a farm near Reidsville, Georgia.

Freida was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Thomas M. Dews, Sr., her father James Madison Smith, Sr., mother Eva Rogers Smith, stepmother Floerl Enecks Smith, sister Suzanne Smith Belcher, brother James Madison Smith, Jr., daughter-in-law Sherry Mobley, step granddaughter Kelley Hamby, and first husband Waylon Mobley.

She graduated from Andrew College and the University of Georgia. With a B.S. in Home Economics, she taught at Mystic High School and managed the cafeteria. Later she was librarian at Irwin County Public Library and high schools in Irwin County and Lowndes County, receiving a M.Ed. in Reading Education from Valdosta State College. Her love of books and librarianship was extended to her daughter and sister who followed in that career path.

Freida is survived by three children: James Waylon Mobley of Ocilla, Georgia, Larry Warren Mobley (Debra) of Ocilla, Georgia, Karen Mobley Burdell (Chuck) of Conyers, Georgia; five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and beloved nieces and nephews.

She also had three stepchildren: Thomas Dews, Jr. (Katherine) of Amherst, Massachusetts, James Dews (Susan) of Canton, Georgia, and Julie Dews of Montreat, North Carolina, as well as five step grandchildren and eleven step great grandchildren. She was greatly loved by all her family and they were devoted to communicating with her in person, by telephone, emails and letters.

Freida was a member of Conyers First United Methodist Church, Rockdale Retired Educators, Pilot Club International, and honorary member of 82nd Airborne Division Association. Another civic endeavor was as coleader with Emily Ann Purvis of Ocilla’s first Girl Scout Troop (75) in 1960.

A life-long love for learning and a zest for living led to many friends and interests including reading, sewing, crocheting, knitting, other needlework, making jewelry, gardening and fishing with Tom. They attended many 82nd Airborne reunions and patriotic functions.  They especially enjoyed going to Braves spring training in Florida several years and watching Braves games and University of Georgia football on television.

A graveside service will be held at Shiloh United Methodist Church, Reidsville, Georgia at 12 o’clock on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. A reception will be held after the service at Low Country Cremation & Burial, 135 N. Main Street.

Memorial donations may be made to Conyers First United Methodist Church or a public library of choice.