Emily Johnson Smith of Nashville was born on January 22, 1936, in Big Rock, TN (now Fort Campbell military base) along with beloved twin brother, Elmer Johnson. Emily was the daughter of Vernon Johnson and Mildred Barnett Johnson. Emily spent much of her childhood in and around Hopkinsville, KY, often taking care of the household as her father was ill and her mother traveled for work as a school teacher. Here, she perfected her amazing homemade biscuits.
Emily graduated in 1959 from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and pursued her nursing passion in Nashville at Vanderbilt, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. She was also a talented seamstress sewing for family and friends and for Grace’s Department Store in Green Hills in later years. She was an excellent cook and was well known for her famous turmeric cole slaw served at all family functions. She could also cook any type of game and make it into a mouth-watering delicacy including duck, dove, rabbit, and squirrel. The gravy was the secret she would always say.
Emily was a huge supporter of the Al-Anon program and worked at the Nashville chapter as an employee and volunteer in her later years. She was also a long-time member of Brentwood United Methodist Church, and the family is eternally grateful for the ministry provided to her there.
Emily was preceded in death by her parents and two beloved siblings, a brother Elmer (Betty) Johnson of Jacksonville, FL, and sister, Rebekah Overstreet of Bedford, VA. She is survived by son, Dow (Cindy) Smith of Smyrna, and daughter, Laura-Maria Smith of Memphis. She is also survived by beloved grandsons, Harris and Mitchell Smith.
A celebration of Emily’s life will be held at Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM officiated by Holley Potts and Ryan Sanford. Visitation with the family will begin at 10am preceding the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Brentwood United Methodist or Al-Anon Family Groups.
