Sarah Elizabeth Smith, age 73 of Winchester, TN, was welcomed into heaven on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems. Sarah was born in Winchester, TN on August 5, 1947 to the late Nola Lee (Steele) and Joseph Lee Jackson. Sarah grew up in Franklin County, TN. She lived in Sinking Cove until the family moved to Winchester, TN when she was 7. She never lost her love of returning to Sinking Cove. She enjoyed walking the creek, climbing the hillside, and looking at wildflowers there. Sarah inherited her passion for nature, flowers, and birds from her mother. She adored feeding birds and seemed happiest in her flower gardens. Sarah was also passionate about reading. She could devour a book quicker than anyone would expect and loved a good mystery or romance novel. In addition, she was very talented at making wreaths and sewing. She enjoyed sharing her gifts with the people she loved. She had a fondness for singing. She never met a stranger and loved to talk.
Sarah graduated from Franklin County High School in 1965. She married the late Paul Kern Smith on April 8, 1965 at the First United Methodist Church in Winchester, TN. Even though Paul and Sarah were young and started out with the bare essentials as far as wealth is concerned. They had a strong, loving, and caring relationship. Paul and Sarah did everything together. They truly enjoyed just being together whether it was going out in the community or washing dishes together. You always saw them with each other. Before her retirement, Sarah worked for the Franklin County School System for 37 years. She was the beloved secretary at Townsend Kindergarten from 1978 until the close of Townsend 2006. She continued to work at Townsend at the alternative school until her retirement in 2015. Sarah loved children and had a natural easy smile that made kids feel comfortable and cared for. Kids knew she was the real deal and loved her. She had a knack for seeing the good and potential in all people. She never held mistakes against anyone.
Sarah had a strong faith in God and family. She was always lovingly involved and supportive of her sons, Keven and Michael. Then when they started families, she took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren. She would tell anyone who would listen about her babies. She spent time with them as small children playing, talking, teaching, and guiding them. She was also their ultimate cheerleader at soccer games, swim meets, plays, musical recitals, and anything they were doing. She would chauffeur those kids around all over town. She took every opportunity that she could to be with her family and would do anything for them. Sarah was a talented cook and loved to make chocolate oatmeal cookies with her children and grandchildren. She also had a special place in her heart for her grand-dog, Bella.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nola Lee (Steele) and Joseph Lee Jackson and her loving husband of 31 years, Paul Kern Smith. She is survived by sons, Paul “Keven” Smith and his wife Sheri (of Winchester) and Jonathan “Michael” Smith and his wife Erin of Winchester. Sarah is the “Granny” of five grandchildren who think she hung the moon and the stars (Sean, Zachary, Hanna, Zoey, and Nolan). In addition, she leaves a sister, Mary Frances Jackson Hanger and many, special nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind her fiancé of 20 years, Alan Huber, who she cared for deeply. They spent time traveling and going to live music events. Alan also shared her love of flowers and gardening.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Moore-Cortner Chapel with Pastor Wanda Spencer officiating. Interment will follow at Jackson Cemetery in Sinking Cove. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN (931)967-2222. www.moorecortner.com
Everyone is welcome, however, due to COVID-19 and CDC guidelines, the family asks that you please try your best to remember to maintain the recommended social distancing and wear a mask.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems who took such loving care of Sarah. We would especially like to thank, Nurse Carol, who went above and beyond by having her mother make Sarah a coconut cream pie once they had a conversation about how much Sarah loved coconut. Nurse Carol also prayed with Sarah and stayed with her when we couldn’t. Please show your support to those in the health care system for all they are doing for patients and families during this difficult time.
