Sara Frances Smith

Obituary for Sara Frances Smith Sara Frances Smith – also known to her family as Aunt Sara, or Miss Smith if she taught you in grade school, or just Sara to those who called her friend - was born in the image of God on January 24, 1930 in Birmingham, AL and peacefully passed from this life while resting at her home in Nashville, TN on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at the age of 95. Sara is preceded in death by her parents, William Miller Smith, and Florence Ardella Thomas Smith, three brothers, Walter E. Smith of Birmingham, AL, William Richard Smith of Uniontown, OH, J. B. Smith of Birmingham, AL, one sister Mae Smith Whitaker Wilkes of Henager, AL, one nephew Ronald Nathan Whitaker of Henager, AL, and one niece Kathy Smith Larkin of Lakeview, AL. Sara is survived by one nephew, Walter Smith, Jr. of Villa Rica, GA, three nieces, Clara Faye Moore of Madison, AL, LaDonna Smith of Birmingham, AL, and Sandy Smith Lewis of Akron, OH. Sara has 11 great nieces and nephews, 20 great, great nieces and nephews, and 12 great, great, great nieces and nephews. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, but most of all, Sara was a child of God. She loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind, and her life reflected Jesus to all that had the pleasure of being around her. Sara was a member of the Green Hills church of Christ (formerly Granny White church of Christ) in Nashville, TN. Her heart’s desire was to see the Great Commission fulfilled. Sara’s support of and participation in countless gospel campaigns, gospel ministries, and charities was simply one way of expressing her love and concern for those who were lost in sin. Sara was a dedicated student of the Bible, a world traveler, a lover of history and culture. She had a quick wit and a sharp intellect, and it was only natural that she was called to teach. She loved her students. They were her children – every single one. For 39 years, she taught grades 1-6. Her teaching tenure included 9 years at Ross school, 27 years at Percy Priest School in Nashville, and 3 years with the Nato Forces in Germany, where she taught the children of our American Soldiers. Hers was a life spent in service to others and nowhere was this more self-evident than in the many years spent caring for each of her lifelong friends - the Batey sisters, Miss Irma and Miss Anne. As each sister approached the end of her life, and could no longer be independent, it was Sara that became their eyes and ears, their hands and feet. She saw to their physical and spiritual needs just as Christ had transformed her to do. Not for pay, nor out of a sense of duty, but out of love. And this was the kind of love she extended to everyone. And it was by this that everyone knew that she was a disciple of Christ - because she had love for others. Her funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2025 at Crossville Memorial Chapel. Her final resting place will be at the Crossville Cemetery in Crossville, AL. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 before the service at the funeral home. Bro. Carey Waddell will officiate her service. Pallbearers will be Eric Moore, Alex Efimenko, Jeff Whitaker, Anthony Moore, Michael Efimenko and Walt Smith, Jr. A memorial service will be held at the Green Hills church of Christ in Nashville, TN on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Crossville Memorial Chapel.

Sara Frances Smith

January 24, 1930 - November 9, 2025