Martha Smith

Martha Smith passed away on August 21, 2011 after a brief illness.

She was born in 1925 in Smithville, Georgia to Theophilus Grady and Lula Lunsford and spent her formative years on a family farm in Baker Hill, Alabama. 

She graduated from Baker Hill High School in 1944 and attended Troy State University to learn electronics. She married J.D. Smith, a native of Bledsoe County, in 1945 and was a devoted wife until his death 52 years later. She spent time in Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, Montana, North Dakota and Georgia, and in two foreign countries, Japan and Greece, as a career military wife. She attended Chattanooga State to receive her nursing license at age 48 and worked at Memorial Hospital until her retirement.

She enjoyed gardening, traveling and being a member of the White Oak Church of Christ for 42 years. 

She was a wonderful mother to her two surviving children, Theophilus “T.G.” Smith of Hendersonville and Lou Smith of Knoxville.

She is also survived by many she loved dearly, her sister, Beatrice Lewis of Baker Hill; her daughter-in-law, Margaret Spikes Smith of Hendersonville; her future son-in-law, Paul Parris; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Jeanette Oakes, Merle Roberson and Freddie Roberson, Sue Smith and Bobby Johnson; her grandchildren, Paige Smith and Lauren and Bobby Geery; eight nephews, nine nieces and their spouses and children who have brought her so much delight.

A graveside ceremony was held Tuesday, August 23 at Collier Cemetery in the Lusk community, officiated by her nephew, T.A. Smith and her longtime pastor and friend, J.C. Watkins.

Online condolences can be made at reedfamilyfh.com.

Putnam-Reed Funeral Home of Pikeville was in charge of arrangements.