Mrs. Lucy Nell Cunningham Smith, age 97, of Tennille passed away at her home on September 2, 2021, following a brief battle with cancer. A graveside funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 4:00 P.M. in the Zeta Cemetery in Tennille. Reverend Danita Knowles will officiate. Pallbearers will be Edd Cunningham, Billy McMaster, Ben Ouzts, Cliff Sheppard, Allen Smith, Burton Smith, Charles Smith, Benjie Tarbutton, and Hill Thomas. The family requests the wearing of face masks and the practicing of social distancing.
Mrs. Smith was born March 25, 1924, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia to the late Margaret Carolyn Green and the late George Washington Cunningham. She was raised in Lexington, Georgia surrounded by a large family that included many female cousins. Lucy Nell graduated from the Meson Academy High School in 1941. She then received her Bachelor’s Degree from Georgia State College for Women in 1944 and later returned to the college to earn a Master’s Degree in History. Following graduation, Lucy Nell moved to Dalton, Georgia and taught school for one year. She then relocated to Tennille and taught History at the Tennille High School. It was in Tennille that she met John Holder Smith, who she would marry on July 31, 1946. She taught in Tennille until the formation of the Washington County High School, where she would then teach History and Government. During her time at WACO, she was chosen as a Star Teacher. Lucy Nell began her career at Brentwood School while the school was located in Davisboro. She would became Headmistress of the Brentwood School, serving in the position until her retirement in 1995, but would return the following year to teach her favorite subject, U.S. History.
In 1995, the Georgia Independent School Association recognized her for her “Outstanding Service to Education.” The same year, she was named “Washington County Citizen of the Year” by the Sandersville Rotary Club. In 1996, she received the Brentwood School Faculty Award. Lucy Nell dedicated her life to the education of children and was rightfully rewarded for her efforts.
In addition to her involvement in education, Lucy Nell was also active in her community. She was a member of the Washington County Historical Society, a member and Past President of the Fine Arts Club of Tennille, and a former member of the Zeta Cemetery Trust. Since 1949, she was a member of Tennille United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities, including, Sunday School Teacher, Bread of Life contributor, Church Council member, trustee, and Chairwoman of the C.V. Ouzts Foundation.
In addition to her parents, Lucy Nell is preceded in death by her husband, John Holder Smith, Sr.; her son, William Holder Smith; and her brothers, Harry Edward Cunningham and George Washington Cunningham, Jr.
Survivors include her daughter, Margaret Smith Alexander and her husband Christopher of Tennille; her son, John Holder Smith, Jr. and his wife Amy of Valdosta; her beloved grandchildren, Margaret Erin Alexander of Atlanta, William Christopher Alexander and his wife Amy of Smyrna, and Margaret Ellison Smith of Valdosta; and her dear great-grandchildren, Avery Christine Alexander, Christopher Smith Alexander, and Morgan Elizabeth Alexander.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brentwood School, P.O. Box 955, Sandersville, Georgia 31082; the Tennille United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 265, Tennille, Georgia 31089; or to the Zeta Cemetery Trust, P.O. Box 1, Tennille, Georgia 31089.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.