GREENWOOD
Georgia Smart Benner Douglass, 98, passed away Nov. 19 2016, at the Hearth at Stones Crossing, surrounded by family members.
She was born March 5, 1918, to the late George and Jeanette (Brown) Smart of Southport. After attending a business college in Indianapolis, she was hired by Eli Lilly & Co. to work in the payroll department using a comptometer to figure weekly payroll. She made many lifelong friends from Lilly.
In the fall of 1940, her dentist introduced her to his new patient from Chicago, Glen Benner. They were married March 15, 1941, at Southport Presbyterian Church. He preceded her in death in 1983. In 1987, she attended her reunion from the Class of 1936 at Southport High School, where she was reacquainted to a former classmate, David Douglass. Their mothers had been best friends in their younger years. They were married in February of 1988, and he preceded her in death in December of 2000.
Georgia loved her family and friends, entertaining them often. She was a lifelong member of Southport Presbyterian Church, and served as president of the Women’s Association, Circle Leader, and attended many Bible studies there. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Indianapolis Athletic Club. She was avid golfer and a Member of Hillview Country Club in Franklin, for over 45 years, serving as president of the Ladies 18 Hole group. She was assistant bank manager of the Southport Citizens Federal Bank branch and retired as manager of the Citizens Federal Bank branch at Glendale.
She loved traveling and had many trips to Canada for fishing, California, Florida and Hawaii with family. She also had several trips to Europe and loved cruises. Inspired by the artwork of her mother and uncles, she took up oil painting in her 60’s, She had a month long art show, displaying many of her paintings at Greenwood Village. She lived a full and wonderful life.
She is survived by her three children, Patricia (Harvey) Rau of Greenwood, Douglass Benner (Jon Vrban) of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Gregory (Annalisa) Benner of Louisville, Kentucky; and her brother, Paul William (Diane) Smart of Pompono Beach Florida; five grandchildren, Todd Rau, Scott (Ja’Nean) Rau, Tricia Rau McGee, Kate (Michael) Hardy and Kayla Benner; seven great-grandchildren, Lauren, Maddy, Grace, Hannah and Lily Rau, Reiley and Ethan McGee; nieces, Joyce Tennison, Marilyn Beebe, Beth McNabb, Betsy Robards, Anita Smart and Silvia Smart Denson; and nephew, Wayne Benner.Â
She was proceeded in death by her sister, Barbara Smart McCarty.
Calling will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at Southport Presbyterian Church, with a celebration of life service to follow.
Arrangements were entrusted to G.H. Hermann Greenwood Funeral Home at The Gardens at Olive Branch.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com.
