Addie Deloris Smith

Addie Deloris (Moore) Smith passed away on Thursday March 13, 2025, at the MS Care Center of Morton while surrounded by her closest family. Deloris was the youngest of nine children and grew up in Leake and Scott Counties. To those who knew her she was known by many names; Addie, Deloris, Dumplin, Ms. Dumplin, Dootsie, Pearl, Dookie Pearl, Mama, and her favorite of all… Nana.

For more than 58 years Deloris was married to the love of her life, Carl Smith. After twelve years of marriage, and moving around the country for Carl’s construction job, she and Carl settled down in Florence, MS where they would live until 2005. It was in Florence that they would eventually grow to a family of four and raise their two sons. After 12 years of marriage, they welcomed their first son, Bo, and three years later another son, Brad.

Deloris was the best and most caring mother and wife. While Carl was away working as a truck driver Deloris took care of all the things on the home front. Not only did she keep her two sons in check, but she was also always looking out for and feeding all the neighborhood kids as well as the school friends that would come over… usually for her cooking! She could take whatever was in the fridge, freezer, and cabinets and turn it into a meal that no one could get enough of. Some of her most popular dishes were her enchiladas, world famous (almost literally) homemade French fries, tomato gravy and homemade biscuits, cast iron roast, homemade chicken salad, homemade pimento and cheese, and French pancakes.

In the mid-1980s Deloris and Carl bought a lot on the Pearl River, near Byram, MS. Through the years, many family gatherings would take place there under an open sided shed. Once Carl got a way to get his river boat up and down the bank, fishing was a frequent weekend event when the weather was right. Deloris loved to fish, and she was darn good at it… often catching the most. Once home, Carl cleaned em and Deloris fried em. Of course, she would have to add in some of those French fries and some homemade hushpuppies. Oh, and her sweat tea. Many times, some of the neighborhood kids would show up to eat… and they were always welcome.

Deloris was one of the most genuine, most caring, most loving, and most giving people that has ever walked the earth. She just had a giver’s heart. If you needed something and she had it, she was going to provide it; even if it meant she went without. Not only would she give it, but she would also get joy from doing so and never expect a thing in return. She was truly an amazing lady.

Between 2003 and 2006 Deloris was blessed with three grandchildren. One boy, Jason, and two girls, Laylah and Carley Jo. These three quickly became her most favorite people. She would tell them, “You know, y’all are my oxygen!” Those three adored their Nana.

In 2005 Deloris and Carl would leave Florence and move to Morton, MS. They now had 50+ acres and a pond so during spring break and summers she would get all three kids and completely spoil them: usually with homemade brownies or trips to the country store to get ice cream. Many times, she would have to be convinced to let those grandbabies go home. Oh, how she loved those three.

One of her favorite things about the move to Morton was the pond she now had right next to the house. She loved to sit on that pond levee with her crickets, cork, her little ultra lite spinning reel, and a big ole smile and show those bream who was boss. The bream pulled from that pond provided many delicious meals for Deloris and Carl, as well as their kids and those grandbabies.

When she wasn’t on that pond levee reeling in fish, she was likely in the kitchen prepping meals, cooking something fantastic, watching her many hummingbirds swarm her multiple feeders, or out shopping. Deloris loved to shop. It was her sport, and she dominated finding deals. It wasn’t uncommon at all for her to bring people name brand clothing that she had found somewhere for a couple of dollars. She would often call her boys, daughters in law, or grandbabies saying, “I found you some really nice shirts. They were regular $60 but they were marked down, and I had a coupon, and it was 15% off storewide today so I got them for $3. I got you a few and I’m going to run them by your house for you!” Her family believes that the fact that JC Penny is going out of business less than 18 months after she was no longer able to go shopping is no coincidence; she loved her some JC Penny.

Not only would she drop off her incredible shopping finds, but she would also bring some of her incredible food. She would call and say, “I know y’all have a lot going on with the kids this week, so I made y’all some roast, string beans, and mashed taters so y’all don’t have to worry about cooking for a few nights. I’m going to run by and put it in the fridge in your garage.” If someone in her kids’ house was sick, you could bet she would soon be headed that way with a big pot of her homemade potato soup. That potato soup would always make you feel better.

Deloris and Carl were a dynamic duo when it came to entertaining and feeding the masses. For many years Deloris and Carl would invite friends and family over on the 4th of July for a fish fry. They would provide fried catfish filets, hushpuppies, coleslaw, greens, and again… those famous French fries. Some years they would have 70+ people over for these mid-summer cookouts. After the fish was done, they would start up the ice-cream makers for the homemade, Reese’s, Butterfinger, Strawberry-Peach, Vanilla, Coconut Pecan, or any other kind of ice-cream you could dream up.

Deloris and Carl also love Bluegrass Music and would travel around to music festivals near and far. They would pack the 5th wheel up with cookers and their little dog, Lucy, and head out to listen to the music and feed their friends. They loved to have people over to eat and fellowship between and after music acts. These were some of their most fun years, during which they made many strong friendships with fellow Bluegrass lovers, many of which lasted a lifetime for Deloris.

Deloris will certainly be missed by all who had the good fortune to know her. The world has lost a true shining light which can never be replaced.

Deloris was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert and Estelle Moore; her brothers, Gene Moore, Joe Moore, and Pete Moore; her sisters, Gertrude Moore, Betty “Sister” Cockroft, Dorothy Williams, and Pat Bynum.

Deloris is survived by her loving husband of 58 wonderful years, Carl Jay Smith; her children, Carl Jason “Bo” Smith (Emily) and Horace Bradley “Brad” Smith (Nicole); her grandchildren, Jason Anthony Smith, Laylah Rose Smith, and Carley Jo Smith; and her sister, Ruby Burns; as well as a whole host of nieces and nephews whom she also loved dearly.

Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services will follow at 7:00pm in the funeral home chapel. Graveside services are scheduled for 10:00am, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be: Jason Smith, Laylah Smith, Carley Jo Smith, Clayton Smith, Shane Brinson, and Jerry Shows.

The family would like to thank the nurses, nurse assistants, and all other staff of Mississippi Care Center of Morton for the outstanding love, care, and compassion that was shown to our sweet, sweet “Addie,” as she was known by the staff.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made “In Memory of Ms. Addie D. Smith” to: MS Care Center of Morton, 96 OLD HWY. 80 E MORTON, MS 39117, 601-732-6361 or to: Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org , 800-272-3900