Mrs. Willie Mae Smith's Obituary
Willie Mae Smith, daughter of the late Pompie, Sr. and Lorena Williams, was born in Houston, MS on April 27, 1935.
She was the fifth of fourteen children and accepted Christ at an early age. Her family moved from Houston, MS to Houlka, MS when she was just a small child, and eventually settled in Pontotoc, MS in 1944. She was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church in Houlka, MS for her entire life. She attended school in Okolona, MS. After graduating from high school, she attended Jackson State University (formerly Jackson State College) and earned a Bachelor's degree in Education. She also furthered her education and earned a Master's degree in Education. She moved to Meridian, MS and was a school teacher there for many years until her retirement in 1994. She had a long career and a happy and fulfilling life. After a long illness, she transitioned into eternal life on March 27, 2024.
Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, LuRay Mayfield; seven (7) brothers: Pompie, Jr., Levi, James, O.J. Allen, Felix, Eddie Coy, and Raymond Williams; her daughter, Cynthia Gayle Smith Stennis.
Willie Mae's life changed after she met Ernest Smith while attending Jackson State University. She married her college sweetheart on September 14, 1957 and celebrated 58 years together until his death on December 15, 2015.
Together, they raised 3 children: Byron Aundre, Ernest, Jr., and Cynthia Gayle. She also loved her church, Second Baptist Church in Houlka, MS. She was a lifetime member and traveled back and forth regularly to attend. She taught Sunday School there for many years until that long drive became too difficult. She loved her family, teaching Sunday School, being retired, cooking, and relaxing at home while watching sports and games shows on television with family.
Our beloved Willie Mae Smith leaves to cherish her lifetime two sons: Byron Smith (Georgia) of Huntsville, AL, Ernest Smith, Jr. (Tonya) of Madison, MS; four brothers: Lamanuel Williams of Pontotoc, MS, Bobby Williams (Dorothy) of Joliet, IL, Gary Williams (Diane) of Joliet, IL, and Larry Williams (Joan) of Pontotoc, MS; one sister, Hazel Williams of Dallas, NC; six grandchildren: Tameka, Jamaal, Brittany and Crystal Stennis, Steven Shadwick and Tauna McCall; eight great-grandchildren: Tanasia, Daly, Christiana, Jamya, Jamaal, Jr., Chyna, Jalen and Ja'Kiyah Stennis; one great-great-grandchild, Ja'Kyri Stennis; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
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