Vera Nell Parker Smith
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Vera Nell Parker Smith stepped out of her earthly body into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday morning, December 15, 2021. We miss her dearly but rejoice that she is completely whole and knows God's love and presence more fully than any of us can imagine. Nell was born on March 13, 1933 at her home in Calhoun County, Mississippi to Curtis Ivan Parker and Effie Lorene Lester Parker. She grew up in Calhoun County, the firstborn of seven siblings. She loved sharing stories of how she helped raise her younger sisters and cover more than her share of work for the boys. Nell learned to work hard, care for those she loved, and cook circles around everyone else at a young age. Those early years formed an amazing, faithful, resilient lady that would bless her family for generations to come. Nell fell in love and married Milton Smith, and the two soon began building a family. She raised three boys, Jimmy, Steve, and Jeff. She spent her days caring for the men in her life and building a reputation as the cook and beauty of the county. Nell also spent years as a talented beauty stylist, consultant, and saleswoman. After her boys were grown, Nell poured herself into the next generation as Steve married Donna and Jared and Ashley were born. Her grandchildren adored their Mamaw who lived close and was actively involved throughout their childhood, a great influence in both of their lives. As Jared and Ashley married and began families of their own, her influential role continued into the lives of her five great grandchildren. Nell was highly admired and adored by extended family, friends, and neighbors as a woman who loved others well and kept kindness and encouragement continually on her tongue. She also loved her friends at Meadows Baptist Church in Sunday School and the Seniors' Ministry who loved and cared for her well. She is survived by a precious family that adored her and was loved beautifully by her. Family included her three sons, James Michael "Jimmy" Smith of Memphis, Tennessee, Stephen Arnold Smith and wife, Donna of Dallas, Texas, and Jeffrey Allen Smith and wife, Sheilla of Mineola, Texas; grandson, Jared Scott Smith and wife, Jennifer of Fairview, Texas; granddaughter, Ashley Smith Key and husband, Jason of Evergreen, Colorado; great grandchildren, Caroline Smith, Matthew Smith, Lizzie Smith, Luke Smith, and Georgia Key who lovingly referred to her as Nanny Nell; sisters, Peggy Parker Jennings of Greenwood, Mississippi , and Debbie Wiggs of Calhoun City, Mississippi. Nell considered her family her greatest earthly treasure and remained their greatest encourager. They were blessed by her loving nature, kind heart, steadfast and forgiving spirit, and a beauty that radiated from the inside out?showing them that they were loved and teaching them to love others well. Nell was preceded in death by grandparents, Archie and Vera Parker and Oscar and Idell Lester; parents, Curtis and Effie Parker; brothers, Curtis Morris Parker, James Robert Parker and Jerry Louis Parker; and sister Mary Ruth Parker Keel. Our family invites friends and neighbors that wish to honor our mom, sister, Mamaw, and Nanny Nell to a viewing on Tuesday morning, December 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service celebrating her life at 11:00 a.m. Both will be held at Meadows Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.
In remembrance of Vera Nell Smith's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made in her honor to Meadows Baptist Church, 3001 Los Rios Blvd, Plano, TX 75054. To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit TJMfuneral.com.