May 26, 2007

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 26, 2007

The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Harriet Dezern Smith

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. – Mrs. Harriet Dezern Smith, age 98, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2007, at her residence in the Tibbs community. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Brownsville Funeral Home Chapel in Brownsville, Tenn., with burial to follow at Trinity Cemetery.

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Mrs. Smith was born Dec. 14, 1908, the daughter of Mr. Jim Dezern and Mrs. Emma Dee King Dezern.

Mrs. Smith was married for 58 years to Mr. James Edward Smith, who preceded her in death in 1993. She was also preceded in death by her father, Mr. Jim Dezern; her mother, Mrs. Emma Dee King Dezern; and by a sister, Mrs. Mary Jo Chapman.

Mrs. Smith graduated from Haywood High School in 1926 and subsequently received her master’s degree in education from Memphis State University.

She was a longtime educator, teaching at Tibbs School and Nut Bush School before becoming principal at Woodville School and Tibbs School. She spent 20 years as Haywood County School Supervisor before retiring in 1974. Even after retiring she continued her role as an educator, working as a substitute teacher in the Haywood County School System.

She was a life member of the Tennessee Education Association and National Education Association. She served as president, secretary and historian of Delta Kappa Gamma and was named Outstanding Woman of Delta Kappa Gamma in 1994.

Mrs. Smith was active in many organizations including the American Cancer Society, serving as Haywood County Chapter president for many years. Among her many honors were Brownsville Rotary Club Woman of the Year in 1984 and Reelfoot Girl Scout Council Woman of Distinction in 1992. She also received the Mildred Jacocks All-Star Award for notable 4-H Club Service. She was named as one of four Outstanding Women from Haywood County during the Tennessee Sesquicentennial Celebration and one of Tennessee’s Outstanding Educators in 1996.

She was active in her church as pianist and adult Sunday school teacher for 58 years and served as president of Trinity Cemetery Association for 20 years.

Mrs. Smith is survived by three children, Patricia Smith Baggett and her husband, Larry, of Brownsville, Jimmy Smith and his wife, Diane, of Brownsville, and Dr. Deborah Smith of Vicksburg. Mrs. Smith also leaves three grandchildren, Tony Baggett and his wife, Lisa, Hannah Smith Kirby and her husband, Vaughn, and Hassell Smith and his wife, Michelle; and eight great-grandchildren, Laura Leigh Baggett, Anthony Baggett, Miles Kirby, Haynes Kirby, Elizabeth Kirby, Addison Smith, Alyse Smith and Weldon Smith.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Trinity Cemetery Association, the American Cancer Society or Antioch Baptist Church.