Agnes Elizabeth Smith

AGNES ELIZABETH SMITH was born on June 13, 1921 in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, the second child of William McKinley and Ida Belle Gillette. She went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 with family and friends at her side. Agnes made her profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at a revival tent meeting when she was nine years old. Soon after this decision, she began playing the piano at her church and continued playing for the next 76 years, loving this worship ministry and grateful to serve the Lord whenever and wherever. A gifted musician, she had an unusual ability to pick up tunes she had never heard and play them with ease when she heard them sung. She married the one love of her life, Alvin C. York Smith, on November 29, 1945 and moved to Jefferson City, Tennessee where she lived for the next 62 years. Their unconditional love spanned more than 47 years. In 1955, their compassion for young people and the community lead them to open a restaurant where young adults and teenagers could have a wholesome place to come after school to eat and have fun. Continuing her education at Morristown College in Business Administration, she began a 17 year career as a Dental Assistant/Bookkeeper for Dr. W. H. Northern. After a short retirement, she worked with the Jefferson County H.U.D. Program, headed by Mr. Harold Jarnigan, for the next five years. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ida Gillette; her sister, Isabelle Gillette; brother, Alvin T. Gillette; and husband, Alvin C. York Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Sheila S. Cutting, Las Vegas, NV; two grandsons, Damon D. Cutting (Jaymie) and Brandon D. S. Curring, Las Vegas; great-grandson, Conner Ravin Cutting, Las Vegas; devoted niece (she thought of as a sister), Nannie Hopper, Oliver Springs, TN; nephew, Alvino Gillette, Strawberry Plains, TN; cherished friend and "bonus" granddaughter, Lucia Cannito; and a host of other family members and friends. Her kindness and mercy engaged many people who became lifelong friends. Agnes was a vibrant, energetic lady with a big heart who was never too busy to help someone in need. She always put the interests of others before her own...that was just her nature. Her grandsons adored her, her daughter cherished her and we will all miss that wonderful humor and beautiful smile. "Mom, Nana, we will miss you terribly but we will see you again on "That Day!" Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, May 20, 2009 from the Farrar Jefferson City Chapel in Jefferson City, TN with Pastor Nathaniel Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Private interment will be on Thursday. Funeral arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN (865) 475-3892