Vera Joyce Smith, 84, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Vera was born on Sunday, September 2, 1928 in Walnut Hill, Illinois the daughter of the late Norman and Cora I. (Street) Copple.  She married Roger O. Smith at Little Grove Church in Walnut Hill, Illinois on August 20, 1948 and he preceded her in death on February 9, 1997. Surviving family members include her 2 sons: Stuart N. Smith and wife Sandra of Salem, Illinois and Steven R. Smith and wife Phyllis of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; daughter: Susan J. Rubenacker of Paducah, Kentucky; 5 grandchildren: Shane Smith and wife Ashley of Colonial Heights, Tennessee, Sarah Watts and husband Traven of Ina, Illinois, Kandace Runyon and husband Joshua of Salem, Illinois and Danielle Smith and Shawn Smith both of Salem, Illinois; great granddaughter: Emily Runyon of Salem, Illinois; several nieces and nephews also survive. Her parents, husband, two brothers: Kenneth and Raymond Copple, two sisters: Lucille Copple and Louise Cameron and one son-in-law: Dennis P. Rubenacker preceded her in death.    Vera taught school in the one room schoolhouse named "College School" in Walnut Hill at the age of 19 and later worked as secretary of Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 for several years until retirement. She was past president of Junior Women's Club, was a member of Home Extension, Senior Circle, Lois Morse Missionary Guild, participated in the Healthy Women's group at Crossroads Community Hospital and was a nursery and Sunday School worker, Children's Bible School Superintendent and church member of Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.   FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Randy Sells, Mr. J. Howard Kraps and Mr. Jamie Allen will officiate. VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. INTERMENT: Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to Central Christian Church Childrens Project 160 and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.