Frances D. Smith, 86, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, October 29, 2021, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Monday, November 1, 2021, at New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church in Ben Hill County, Georgia, with the Rev. Jody Silvers, the Rev. Edsel Young, the Rev. Joey Dean, the Rev. John Sewell, and the Rev. Neil Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Sunday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Smith was born October 22, 1935, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late Alstean & Margaret “Maggie” Young Dixon. She was a homemaker and a devoted farm wife who instilled a strong faith and work ethic into her family. She nurtured their talents and shared her love of music. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed hosting visiting ministers for meals. She also enjoyed eating at Cracker Barrel and shopping as well as visiting their lake house and fishing on Lake Eufaula. A friendly competition always occurred between Mrs. Smith and her husband to see who could catch the most fish. If he ever hit a hot streak, she would make him turn the boat or even swap fishing poles. Mr. Smith was always a good sport and obliged her. In her younger years, she sang with a trio on WOKA and WSIZ radio stations. Mrs. Smith was a faithful member of her beloved New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church. She was a former children’s Sunday school teacher, directed the Christmas play, baked communion bread, and cooked many meals at the church campground.
She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Cecil Edward Smith of Fitzgerald; their children: Jean Carol Ruis & Dewayne of Moultrie, Janice Young & Edsel of Wray, Cecil Edward “Eddie” Smith, Jr. & Shari of Fitzgerald, and Randall Smith & Teresa of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Melanie Dean & Joey, Brian Ruis & Wendy, Jared Young & Lindsey, Janna Young Hutto, Sonya Sewell & John, Nicole Pennington & Matt, Jeffrey Smith & Stacie, Tyler Smith, and Kelby Smith; great-grandchildren: Luke, Landon, Ashton, Gracelyn, Alayna, Carolyna, Gunner, Jaylin, Emma, Madelyn, Whitley, Ansley, John Mark, Kaden, Carly, Brylee, and Adalyn; as well as several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers: Jack Dixon, Eugene Dixon, Sr., and John Dixon.