Frances Ford Smith

Frances Ford Smith, 93, died peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on September 14, 2016 at Brandon Nursing and Rehab. She was born March 12, 1923 to the late Jane Barkley and James Milton Ford in Grand Cane, LA where she would grow up. After graduation from high school, she went onto Louisiana Tech to further her education. August 29, 1943, she married the late Venon (Smitty) Smith, who spent time in the south pacific in WWII. After the war, the two would make their home in Jackson, MS, where they raised two sons, James M. Smith of Jackson, MS and Danny G. Smith (Y.Y.) of Brandon, MS.

Frances was always the first person who could brighten anyone’s day, who put other’s first. Who could ever forget that laugh and heart the size of Texas. There wasn’t much she wouldn’t do for one of her friends or family. Besides spending time with family and her buddies, she loved gardening and enjoyed needlepoint. Frances also enjoyed her family pets through the years from “Trixie” the Chihuahua, “Tojoe” the monkey to “Oreo” the rabbit who hopped out to the nursing home to visit Frances and the residents on many occasions.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Louise Ford Peek, and brother, James P. Ford.

A graveside service will be held Friday, September 16, 2016 at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the MIND Center at UMMC.