Verla Pauline Smith Pongerayter, a resident of Camden, Alabama, passed away on August 29, 2023, at the age of 89.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Camden Baptist Church with Brother Eddie Davidson officiating and Dunklin Funeral Home of Camden directing. Burial will follow the service in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, September 4, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Dunklin Funeral Home in Camden.

Verla Pongerayter was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother.

Verla loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family and friends.  She was well known for her fried chicken and biscuits. She enjoyed shopping in all aspects, clothes and shoes her favorites.  She took great pride in her family. Everyone felt welcome in her home.

Verla was born on August 20, 1934, in Selma, Al and grew up on a homestead with five sisters and two brothers. She married Mitchell Pongerayter and together they had three beautiful children, Mike, Betty and Paul. She was a long-term resident of Camden, AL where she was a member of Camden Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Jackson Smith and Stella Myrick Smith; husband, Mitchell Pongerayter; siblings, Woodrow Smith (Helen), Wayland Smith, Ellen Stacey (David), Ollie McPherson Myrick (Leonard), Trudy Inez Owens as well as grandchildren, Michael and Sarah Pongerayter.

Verla is survived by her three children, Mike Pongerayter (Linda), Betty Fedrick (Terry) and Paul Pongerayter (Janet); grandchildren, Tara Pongerayter Reaves (Kyle), Thomas Henderson, Gail Henderson Rickles (Ricky), Mitch Henderson, Cody Pongerayter, Jake, Brandon, Luke and Katie Fedrick. She also leaves sixteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.