Children of Johnny and Viola Pruitt Smith

The five children of Johnny and Viola Pruitt Smith are photographed above.  Lenard, Mamie, Edna, Hubert in uniform and Louise.  Johnny was the only son of Newton Alexander and Savannah Bates Smith.  Johnny was a peddler throughout Cherokee and Cobb counties.  He drove a truck full of fresh vegetables and fruit.  He weighed them on a hanging scale from the truck. He was known by the kids as Uncle Johnny. He always had plenty of bananas and gave the kids one every time he came. He did not know his gift would make a banana sandwich their only lunch that day. Lenard followed in his dad's footsteps.  He had a roadside market near Roswell, Georgia. Viola had a cheerful spirit and everyone loved her. She was the sister of Frances Pruitt who married Mary Bates, daughter of Lem and Lillie Smith Bates.  Lee Pruitt married Johnny's sister, Lessie Smith.

Viola Pruitt and Johnny Smith

Viola Pruitt Smith with her husband Johnny Smith, who was Lillie Smith Bates' brother. Lillie, Johnny and their many siblings were born in the late 1800s and early 1900s to Savannah Bates and Alexander Newton Smith. They are all mentioned in our book, Angels Among Us.