Nellie Smith

Nellie Dean (Buck) Smith, 85

Nellie Smith passed away peacefully at Madison Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Madison, Alabama, February 21, 2025, at the age of 85.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, Oak and Zona Buck; a daughter Marsha Sue Smith; brothers Kerby Buck, Kellie Buck, and Shellie Buck; a sister Jane (Buck) Hughes; and her husband of 52 years, Huell Smith.

She is survived by two daughters Vanessa (Jimmy) Fish and Michelle (Brian) Bowen. She is also survived by her sister Mary Pritchard.

She has five grandchildren: Cameron, Lindsey, Alyson, Conner and Preston. She has two great-grandchildren: Kadence and Lacey. She also blessed the lives of a large host of nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Nellie was born in Fentress County, Tennessee and lived in east Tennessee until she was 21. She married the man of her dreams in Polk County, Florida. She and Huell were married in 1960 and spent the next 24 years in Bartow, Florida, where they raised their three girls. Nellie also earned her nursing degree while juggling the responsibilities of her family. They moved back to Tennessee in 1984 and settled on the “farm” in Rickman, Tennessee. Nellie became the wife a cattle farmer (Huell) and continued her career as a nurse at Cookeville General Hospital for the next 20+ years.

Nellie loved being with her family. Summers were spent in Tennessee so her girls would have a relationship with their Tennessee family. When the grandkids came along, they spent school breaks with “Granny and Papa” on the farm. She taught them to appreciate the simple things in life like “lightning” bugs in a jar, bottle feeding a baby calf, and stringing beans picked from the garden.

When their busy schedule allowed it, Nellie and Huell enjoyed their time together traveling back to Florida so Huell could go fishing and Nellie could visit with old friends. She was a lifelong Tennessee Vols Fan (by default … Huell was the diehard fan).

Visitation and Funeral will be at Brown’s Funeral Chapel, Byrdstown, TN.

VISITATION

Thursday, February 27, 2025

11:00AM – 1:00 PM

SERVICE

Thursday, February 27, 2025

1:00PM

OFFICIANT

Rick Cross

CEMETERY

Story Cemetery

Serving as pallbearers were Terry Schrader, Conner Schrader, Cameron Fish, Jonathan Good, Bill Fish and Eric Fish. 

Heaven shines brighter today.

There will be a nurse honor guard memorial provided by the Tennessee Nurses Honor Guard on Thursday, February 27 at 1:00 PM.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/2299092640412487/

Memorial contributions in memory of Nellie can be made to Dementia Society of America.     https://www.dementiasociety.org