Ava Nell Schmidt, 94, of Greenville, died Sunday, December 19, 2021 at her residence. Born January 19, 1927 to the late Oscar David Lewis and Opal Mefford Lewis in Browder. She was a graduate of Greenville High School and as a teenager, worked as a sales lady in the Dexter Building in downtown Greenville. She also worked at F. H. Lewis’, Jack and Jill’s, and Sullivan’s clothing stores, and sold tickets for the Strawberry Festival in downtown Greenville. She later worked selling tickets for the Palace Theater. She was dating Smitty at that time and he got to see all of the movies for free. She met her husband Smitty at the skating rink in Drakesboro and after several years, they were married by Judge Harkins on May 11, 1946. They were married for 53 years until his death on December 28, 1999. They had four children. When their first child was nine months old, they moved to Evansville, Indiana where they became members of Washington Avenue Baptist Church. Years later they moved back to Kentucky, to Greenville, and joined Second Baptist Church, where she has been a member for over 61 years. She was a member of the Lydia Sunday School class.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Charles W. Schmidt; three sons—Donald R. Schmidt, Fredrick G. Schmidt, Mark L. Schmidt; siblings Charles N. Lewis, Oscar D. Lewis, Mary G. Kirkham, and Anna Faye Shelton.
Survivors include her son, Robert B. Schmidt of Greenville; grandchildren, Catherine (Skylar) Porter and Nola (Kyle) Jones of
Greenville; great grandchildren, Clay Jones, Caroline Jones, and Jack Porter, all of Greenville.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 22, at 12:00 p.m. at Second Baptist Church in Greenville, with Rev. Bob Thurman officiating and Dr. Kevin Milburn assisting. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville. Gary’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, December 22 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Second Baptist Church in Greenville.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.garysfuneralhome.net
