Julia A. Smith

Obit Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home Mrs. Julia Abernathy Smith passed away Sunday evening, September 21st, 2008, at NHC of Pulaski after a prolonged illness. She was a teacher in the local schools for more than 40 years. Mrs. Smith was the widow of the late John Floyd Smith, also a teacher. She is survived by a son, John Abernathy Smith and his wife, Helen with whom she made her home in her later years, and a daughter, Julia Smith Gibbons, and her husband, William, of Memphis. In addition she is survived by four grandchildren, Julia E. Smith and her partner, Susan Wensel, of Spokane, Washington; John Abernathy (Jay) Smith, II and his wife, Andrea Moed, of San Francisco, California; Rebecca Carney Gibbons of New York, New York; and William L. Gibbons, Jr. or Washington, D.C. A sister-in-law, Rebecca S. Abernathy of Pulaski, and several nieces and nephews and their families also survive. A descendant of pioneer families, Mrs. Smith was the daughter of Joseph Cayce Abernathy and Florence Irvine Abernathy. She was one of eight siblings who made significant contributions to their community. Mrs. Smith graduated from Central High School in Pulaski. After attending Martin Methodist College, she completed her baccalaureate degree at Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee in 1932. Returning to Giles County, she secured a teaching position at Stella High School. When Stella High closed, she moved to Pulaski Elementary School. In 1951 she became a member of the faculty at Giles County High School and until her retirement in 1976 taught there or at Bridgeforth Junior High, depending on where Algebra I was offered. After retirement, Mrs. Smith devoted herself to church and community affairs, serving as a volunteer for bloodmobiles sponsored by the American Red Cross, chairperson of volunteers and treasurer of the Giles County Historical Society, member of Giles County Democratic Women, member of advisory committees for Department of Human Services and treasurer of Delta Kappa Gamma, an educators' sorority. Mrs. Smith was a member of First United Methodist Church, where she held many positions of service. Funeral services for Mrs. Smith was held on Wednesday, September 24, at 11a.m. at First United Methodist Church. Visitation was Tuesday, September 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends might consider memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church, Giles County Historical Society, Martin Methodist College or a charity of their choice.

Julia A. Smith

July 31, 1911 - September 21, 2008