Dec. 24, 1933-Nov. 26, 2025
Sarah Marie Smith was born on December 24, 1933 and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 26, 2025.
She was born in Lafayette County in the New Hope Community near Como, Mississippi, to Robert Bryan and Nettie Taylor Smith.
She attended Como High School, where she was salutatorian of her 1951-graduation class and class treasurer. Then continued her education at Mississippi State College for Women, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Science and fulfilling the requirements for teacher certification.
She continued her education at the University of Mississippi receiving a Master of Education degree and an Education Specialist degree, as well as completing requirements for AAA teacher certification.
Her 40-year teaching career began in 1955 at Senatobia High School. After 13 years she moved to Warren Central High School in Vicksburg where she continued teaching business education for 27 years. She was Chairman of the Business Education Department and was the Future Business Leaders of America advisor. She was awarded recognition as Department Chairperson of the Year and FBLA Advisor of the Year.
During this time she was active in the National Business Education Association, the Southern Business Education Association, and the Mississippi Business Education Association serving as president of the Mississippi Business Education Association. Her service to professional groups continued as she served for 10 years as state treasurer for Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi.
In 1975 she was invited to membership in Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, where she served faithfully at all levels. She served her chapter as president and treasurer as well as chairing various committees. At the state level, she was Finance Chairman and served as state treasurer for 30 years.
She received the Zeta State Achievement Award in 1993. For her faithful and long-time service the 2009-2019 Zeta State History was dedicated to her. At the international level, she was selected to attend the International Leadership Management Seminar in 1989. She also received recognition as a Southeastern Star.
After receiving Jesus Christ as her Savior, she remained faithful to her Lord. She was most recently a member of Union Baptist Church near Sardis, Miss.
Spreading the Gospel was of great importance to her. She was a leader and counselor for Girls Auxiliary, taught Discipleship Training for teenagers and adults, served on various church committees including Benevolence and Hostess, was leader for Woman’s Missionary Union , organized ministry events for the Baptist Children’s Village, served as church-wide missions leader, supported and encouraged Baptist Student Union summer missionaries through prayer as well as financially, and sang in the choir.
She enjoyed community involvement as she served as president and treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Union Volunteer Fire Department.
Her other interests included sewing (making clothes for others and herself), reading (especially in bed at night), music (taking her first voice and piano lessons when she was well into adulthood), and baking cookies (ready for serving at a moment’s notice). She loved sending birthday, get-well, thinking of you cards, and cards of encouragement to friends and family. She had a special place in her heart for animals and received great joy as she lovingly cared for her pets including cats, dogs, and birds.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert Bryan and Nettie Taylor Smith; her sister Annie Ruth Smith Beall; her brother Robert (Sonny) Bryan Smith Jr.; and her niece Dianne Smith Price.
Those left to lovingly remember her are: Sister in Law Martha Smith; her nieces Barbara Beall Thompson, Martha Beall Toombs (Robby), Sandra Beall Barrett (Shawn), Donna Smith Rhodes (David), Dana Smith Ricks (Matt) Deanne Smith, and nephew George Robert Beall (Barbara). She is also survived by numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, and host of loving friends.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 1 p.m. until service time beginning 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Sardis. Interment to follow in Fulmer Cemetery in Harmontown, Miss.
Ray-Nowell Funeral Home in Senatobia is in charge of arrangements.
