October 27, 1947 ~ September 10, 2026 (age 78)
Jackie Smith, a beloved mother, grandmother, family member, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 10th, 2026, at the age of 78. Born on October 27, 1947, in West Point, GA, to her loving parents, Jack and Annie Pearl Harris.
Jackie was known for her loving heart (especially when it came to children and grandchildren), strength, kindness, and devotion to her family. She touched the lives of all who knew her through her ability to tell it just as she saw it with wisdom, generosity, and continuous love. Jackie is survived by her children, Shannon (Kelli) Smith & Stacey (Amy) Smith; her grandchildren, Thomas, Maddy, Morgan, Ava, and Amelia, who all call her Nonnie; her siblings, Cindy Harris and Donna (Waylon) Roland; and other loved ones. Jackie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 36 years, Tommy Smith.
Jackie played a huge role in the lives of her younger siblings, Cindy and Donna. They would both tell you today that she raised them first. Their mother had a serious illness during their childhood, which left their father to work to support the family and Jackie to take care of the household.
Jackie enjoyed spending time with her extended family, the Baileys and the Harrises, and always spoke fondly of each one of them. Her love of sitting on the porch and talking about everything began here, and she could sit out there for hours. The adults always said, “You better be on the porch, because rest assured, if you weren’t, you were the topic of discussion.”
Jackie and Tommy built an amazing life together, starting in West Point, GA, with the birth of Shannon and later Stacey. Jackie and Tommy were complete polar opposites. Tommy had a sweet and kind nature, while Jackie had a sometimes slightly aggressive personality. However, this match worked, and they faced many difficult challenges together with one constant goal: to raise a family centered around God, love, and doing good for others.
Jackie was always very proud of joining the Smith family and spent many days at the family camp on the backwaters with all of them. She loved Tommy’s parents, Tom and Phyllis, and his sister Jo (Keith) Sharpe, and brothers Johnny (Linda) and Neal (Phoebe) as if they had always been her family. All of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were adored by Jackie and Tommy.
In the early part of Tommy and Jackie’s marriage, they struggled financially and both worked long hours to support their family and help others when possible. Eventually, they were able to move out of a rental house and purchase their first home together in 1982 and remained in that home all of their lives.
Unexpectedly, in 2006, Tommy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and died at the age of 54. This event was devastating for Jackie, but outwardly she only showed strength and determination to push on.
After a few years, her first two grandchildren, Thomas and Maddy, were born and, in her words, “Nothing can soothe a broken heart like grandkids.” The next year Morgan was born, followed four years later by Ava, and then Amelia two years after that. These last few years with grandchildren were the happiest of her life. Jackie was remorseful that she could not share that with Tommy, but thankful for each moment that she had with her grandchildren—being their Nonnie and telling them stories about Big T and their family’s early years. She would let anyone know that disciplining her grandchildren was unacceptable! They were perfect in her eyes!
Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her and in the many lives she touched. Jackie will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, September 14th at 2:30 PM EST, with visitation starting at 1:30 PM EST at Johnson Brown Service Funeral Home in Valley, AL.
Please visit Jackie’s Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for her family, to share a memory of Jackie, or to light a Remembrance Candle in her memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.
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