Annie Laura Carmichael Smith, affectionately known as Ann, Annie, Granny, GrannyAnnie or Aunt Annie, passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 90 on July 18,
2024, with her devoted daughter holding her hand.
Born December 2, 1933, she was the youngest child of Frank Wise Carmichael and
Fannie Mae Rutledge Carmichael. She is predeceased by her husband, Paul Wayne
Smith, and siblings, Pearl Jackson Bonner, Guy Jackson, Jewell Jackson Rogge, Betty
Sue Carmichael Walton and Charlie Carmichael.
She was born into poverty in the midst of the great depression, lost her father at age
five months to be raised by her mother and 5 older siblings. She grew up well loved,
but they struggled daily to get by. To contribute, she picked cotton in the scorching
Alabama sun from early childhood until her marriage to William “Bill” R. Sartain in 1950.
Annie and Bill had one child, Sharon Kay, born in 1951.
She had a full life following her varied interests. During childhood she sang on local
radio with her siblings as the Kings Chapel Five. She continued performing and writing
gospel and country songs throughout her life, having several of her songs published
and performed by other artists.
Ann was divorced from her first husband and moved to Nashville in the mid 60’s. She
then met and married Wally Fowler. Together they wrote and performed Gospel music
live, on TV and record. Their marriage lasted six years, but Wally’s performing
schedule proved to be too much. They divorced and she moved to Houston, Texas
where she found another life.
In 1982 she married Paul Smith. They moved to Nashville to be close to Sharon and
her family, and were happily married until Paul’s death in 2001.
Ann was a beautiful woman inside and out; her outgoing personality and striking
physical appearance made her everyone’s instant and lifelong friend. She was loved by
many. She never met a stranger, and treated everyone with equal respect. She was
great at gardening, sewing, fishing, painting and treasure shopping. She was always
enthusiastic about everything she did. Regardless of the task, she would work on it
until exhaustion. She saw much of the world during her life, and actually flew on the
same Concorde flight with John Lennon.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter and son-in-law, Sharon Sartain Kipp and
David Kipp, Jr. of Nashville, TN, granddaughter, Megan Claire Kipp of Bali, Indonesia,
grandson Jon Kipp and wife Christy, great grandchildren Jonathon Kipp (Libya Hall),
Jackson Kipp & Joshua Kipp of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Happy, her dog and best
friend. Ann is also survived by numerous beloved nephews & nieces, and “other
daughter” Mary Sartain Jackson.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to: Sharon Kipp, her primary care
provider in her last years, Alive Hospice, and special caregivers Dana Judd, Tatyana
Heughan and neighbor Sheila Williams.
Visitation will be from 11 am – 1 pm on Monday, July 22, 2024 with A Celebration of
Life immediately following at Kilgore Green Funeral Home, 1200 Birmingham Ave.,
Jasper, AL 35501. Her burial will be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery,
Oakman, AL.
Please keep Annie’s spirit alive by coming dressed in all your bling, because, as she
said, “You don’t know how you look until you get your picture took”.
Congratulations Annie, on a long life well lived. You will be missed.
