Lillian Theo Smith Grant was born in Tipton County, TN, on February 14, 1937, her daddy’s favorite Valentine. She left this earth Saturday, September 12, 2026, surrounded by her family. The oldest of four siblings, Lillian was surrounded by cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles, and loving grandparents from the beginning. Although moving to hollers and red hills of Mississippi to become a young farmer’s wife was hard, she found herself enveloped in the love of an even larger family. Lillian believed fervently that love only expands. Six children, ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, along with so many nieces and nephews proved her belief.
Through the years, Lillian was a Girl Scout Leader, a Sunday School Teacher, a bookkeeper, a file clerk, a college student, and a safe space for whoever stopped by. She sewed clothes, picked cotton, and cooked a perfect biscuit. She enjoyed bird watching, flower gardening, and was a veracious reader. Lillian found independence. She loved to travel. When her health kept her home, she traveled via the phones, photos, artwork and writings of her children and grandchildren. She wanted them to see the world. She sent them out to find themselves and then welcomed them home when they were ready to return. She was a gift beyond the place she inhabited. She was loved. She was love.
Through the years, Lillian attended Oak Grove Baptist of Covington TN, Center Hill of Ecru, Doty Chapel of Shannon, Priceville Baptist Church of East Tupelo, East Heights Baptist Church of East Tupelo, and the Orchard of Tupelo. The last twenty years of her working life, she filled many roles at Mitchell, McNutt Law Firm in Tupelo. She was an active parent and grandparent in many schools in Lee and Pontotoc Counties and will be remembered by many for her acts of service.
Lillian leaves behind her siblings, Jay Smith of Memphis, TN, Jeannette Smith of Memphis, TN, and Danny Smith (Louise) of Georgia; her children, Bobby Grant of Shannon, Robbie Jones of Tupelo, Mitzie Grant of Philadelphia, PA, JC “Buddy” Grant (Sheila) of Pontotoc, Dana Grant (David Jackson) of Tupelo, and Amy Grant (Chris Muise) of Blue Hill, Maine; her grandchildren, Tosha, Tres, Bobbi Leanna, Shon, Jon, Grant (Sheena), Scott, James (Gabriela), River, and Reed; her great-grandchildren, Devon, Destiny, Dakota, Layna, Karmon, Zach, Luna, Jude, Judah Phillips, Ryleigh, Harper, Olivia, Lily-Ann, and Madison; great-great-grandchildren, James, Shelby, Viva, and Memphis; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends around the world.
A celebration of life service will be at 4 PM, Wednesday, September 16, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors. Visitation will be 2 PM to service time Wednesday only. Those who cannot attend may view the service Wednesday at 4 PM or anytime thereafter at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/livestreaming. Expressions of love and sympathy may be expressed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/obituaries/Lillian Theo Smith Grant. Holland Funeral Directors are honored to serve our friends.
Lillian firmly believed in feeding the body and the imagination, so we ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Lee County Schools Office of Child Nutrition in support of school lunches, P.O. Box 1100 Verona, MS 38879 https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHXERDHN805QI5_ZZ5SS8P2BRQOLCM or Early Childhood Coalition’s local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at unitedwaynems.org/imaginationlibrary.
