Celia Montez Criddle Smith, age 82, of Russellville, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
Montez was a believer in Jesus Christ and was of the Baptist faith. She married the love of her life, Theron Austin Smith, when she was only 15 and they enjoyed 43 years together. She loved reading, planting flowers, and working in her flowers and yard. She was an excellent mom and had worked hard on raising her five children.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Theron Austin Smith; son, Austin Bradley Smith; a stillborn son, daughter-in-law, Rita Smith; parents, Willard Dale & Celia Bell (Ross) Criddle; siblings, Spencer Criddle, Willise Copeland, Annise Criddle, Udell Criddle, and L.M. Criddle.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Judy Carol Smith Pounders, Tommy Duran Smith, Joel Kelly Smith, Kathy Marie Smith McCullar (Darrin); daughter-in-law, Delores Diane Jackson; loved like a daughter, Dellie Jane McDaniel Clark (John); grandchildren, Tammy Marie Smith, Brandi Michelle Smith, Bradley Darkay McCullar (wife, Morgan Lorraine Averette); Austin Terry Smith, Kevin David Pounders, Bobby Durand Pounders; great-grandchildren, Starla Welborn, Conner Welborn, Willow Hope McCullar, Lily Mae McCullar; and a host of nieces & nephews.
The visitation will be 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Spry Memorial Chapel. The service will follow at 12:00 noon in the chapel with Pastor Roger Risner. The burial will be at Franklin Memory Gardens. The pallbearers will be Austin Smith, Conner Welborn, Bradley McCullar, and Bobby Pounders.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the nurses, doctors, and staff of Helen Keller 4th Floor as well as to the nurses and staff of Arabella Health & Wellness for your love and care of our mother and grandmother.
Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family.
