Helen Harris Smith

Helen Harris Smith, born October 10, 1935, died peacefully on Saturday morning in her daughter’s home in Madison. She was born in Columbus, Mississippi, graduated from Lee High School in 1953, and later attended Mississippi State College for Women before marrying Robert R. (Bob) Smith in 1954. She was a prolific artist specializing in still life, and her work was shown in several galleries throughout the state.

She and Bob enjoyed world travel, a hobby which later allowed them the opportunity to take part in the medical exchange trip to Russia that spawned the Mississippi Commission for International Cultural Exchange, the organization responsible for Palaces of St. Petersburg, Splendors of Versailles, and other cultural exhibits held in Mississippi between 1996 and 2004. Bob and Helen both served on the board for the Commission. She kept a beautiful garden, enjoyed afternoon tea, and made excellent biscuits from scratch.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Harris and Maude Conner Harris, and her husband Dr. Robert R. Smith, longtime professor and chair of neurosurgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Carroll (David) of Madison, three grandchildren, Benjamin, Kathryn, and Mary Evelyn Carroll, and a number of cousins, including Mary Lillian Wade of Columbus, whom she regarded as a sister.

Services will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Monday, December 17th, at 10:00am with graveside services at 3:00pm at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 4:00-6:00pm at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson.