Mr. Tommy Michael Stephenson and Mrs. Rhonda Pardue of Commerce announce the engagement of their daughter Kayla Dean to Charles Ethridge Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Charles Smith of Covington.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Odell Stephenson of Commerce and Mrs. Ruth Hulsey and the late Mr. Fred Galloway of Commerce. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education. She will graduate in May with a Master's in instructional technology from Georgia Southern University and plans to attend Piedmont College to obtain a Specialist degree in teacher leadership. She is a second grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School.

The future groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ethridge Hays Jr. of Mansfield and the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Smith of Covington. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in consumer economics. He is employed with Vega Media Partners as the regional manager.

The wedding is planed for June 4. After a honeymoon in the Mayan Rivera, the couple will reside in Athens.