Willie Jean Smith-Smotherman

Obituary For Willie Jean Smith-Smotherman

Ms. Willie Jean Smith-Smotherman
December 12, 1937 — March 8, 2026

Willie Jean Smith-Smotherman, born Willie Jean Murray on December 12, 1937, in Nashville, Tennessee, was a woman whose life reflected faith, strength, creativity, and deep love for her family and community. From an early age, she possessed a spirit of generosity and compassion that would define the way she lived her life. If you knew Willie Jean, you knew that her home and her heart were always open. She was the kind of woman who believed that if she had something, you had something too. Many remember her as someone who would feed anyone who came to her door and would gladly give her last so that someone else would not go without.

Her life was deeply rooted in faith. Willie Jean loved the Lord and faithfully served Him at Little Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she was a devoted servant, choir member, and minister. She further strengthened her calling by attending Divinity School in Nashville, continuing her commitment to spiritual growth and service. Her faith was not only spoken, it was also lived daily through her kindness, her charity, and the way she cared for others.

Willie Jean was truly a woman of many gifts and talents. She pursued her cosmetology education in Louisville, Kentucky, later becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.), and she served faithfully at Riverside Hospital. Whether she was caring for someone’s health, encouraging their spirit, or helping them look their best, she believed in lifting people up.

Music was one of the great joys of her life. Willie Jean was a professional singer with a voice that many described as angelic. She loved singing gospel music and often played the keyboard and guitar, lifting her voice in praise and worship. One of her greatest joys was singing with her children and grandchildren, passing down both the love of music and the love of the Lord.

Beyond her ministry and music, Willie Jean embraced life fully. She had a love for fashion and sewing, working skillfully as a seamstress and expressing her creativity through clothing and style. She enjoyed watching movies, cooking, baking, and playing games with family, creating countless memories around the table and in the living room with laughter and love.

She also loved the outdoors and cherished simple moments of peace and joy. One of her favorite pastimes was taking a drive to the lake in her Cadillac, enjoying the beauty of nature and the quiet moments God provided.

Willie Jean was also dedicated to the young people in her community, serving as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, guiding and encouraging children with the same patience and love she gave her own family.

Throughout her life, Willie Jean was a woman whose heart belonged first to the Lord and whose greatest joy was her family. Her faith guided her steps, and her love for God was reflected in the way she cared for others, shared her gifts of music and creativity, and embraced the beauty of the world around her. Her life was a living testimony of faith, generosity, and love without limits.

Even in her final moments, her heart was with those she loved most. Her last words were a reminder to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren that she loved them all.

Willie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Eysa Anderson and Aaron Smith; her granddaughters, Samantha R. Wade and Kaylenne Richardson; her great-granddaughter, Tori Lena Smotherman; and her great-grandson, Kenneth D. Hoover III.

She leaves to cherish her memory her brothers, Joseph (Connie) Murray and Ernest (Jeri) Murray.

She is also survived by her children: Bobby (Sheila) Smotherman Jr., Donna (David) Jones, Mary Ellastine Smotherman, Shelia (Charles) Norman, Tammy Smotherman, Rodney Smotherman, Barbara (Jose) Morales of Washington, DC, Michael C. Smotherman, and Basil Pat (LaRita) Smotherman of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Cedric Smotherman, Latonya Smotherman, Bryant Hall of Atlanta, Georgia, Hanley Wade Jr., Dr. Chandra (Michael) McPherson, Pastor Robert (Harmonie) Hall, Bobby Smotherman III, Joy Hall, Benjamin Williams, Basil Amed Smotherman of Indianapolis, Indiana, Adrienne (Orlandos) James of Detroit, Michigan, Samantha R. Smotherman of New York, and Tiffany (Dennis) Murphy of Springdale, Maryland.

She is also lovingly remembered by 30 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were blessed by her presence.

Her love, faith, and strength will continue to live on through the many generations who were blessed to call her mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Visitation:
Friday, March 13, 2026

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Funeral Service:
Friday, March 13, 2026

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Terrell Broady Funeral Home, Inc.

3855 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37218

Interment:
Friday, March 13, 2026

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Greenwood Cemetery North

1248 Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, TN 37072

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