Funeral services for Lessie Ann Smith are Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at Brookhaven Funeral Home Natchez Drive location. Burial will follow the service at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 7, 2015, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Smith, 84, died on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. She was born on Sept. 25, 1930, to Mary and Charlie Smith in McCall Creek.

Ann retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 28 years of service. She and Earl retired and moved back to Mississippi to live on the home place where she was raised.  She and Earl have been blessed to enjoy over 30 years of retirement together at their Mississippi home.

Ann was a faithful wife, incredible mother, loving grandmother, loyal friend and committed follower of Jesus Christ. She modeled strength and demonstrated to others how to struggle well as she fought a 52-year battle against rheumatoid arthritis. Her family and friends were inspired by her quiet strength and positive attitude. She loved to paint for many years and blessed her family with her art. Ann’s beautiful smile and heart of compassion will be missed.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors are her loving husband of 64 years, Earl Smith; daughter, Diane Hemmenway and her husband, Butch, of Groves, Texas; two sons, Don Smith of McCall Creek; and Dale Smith and his wife, Jennifer, of Magnolia, Texas; and sister Ola Mae Holden.

Ann was blessed to be granny to eight grandchildren, Heath Smith, Sommer Smith, Richard Stovall, David Smith, James Hemmenway, Seth Smith, Christen Smith and Caitlyn Smith. Ann was also blessed with five great-grandchildren. She will be missed by numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.