Peggy Joyce Smith, 91, of East Ridge passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born on March 3rd 1934 in Rossville to the late James Harrison Hirst and Clemmie Nadine Morris Hirst. She graduated from Tyner High School and went on to begin a career that spanned several decades at such places as Provident, Kingwood Pharmacy and ultimately retiring from CVS Pharmacy here in East Ridge.
She was the ultimate cook, having owned over 150 different cookbooks. Peggy was also the “Neighborhood Mom” of the “Chippewah Gang”, she’d have snacks and Kool-aid for all the neighborhood kids and even from time to time go play a game of catch with the kids. Peggy either coached her daughter’s softball team or coached her boys baseball teams from the bleachers.
Peggy was an avid Atlanta Braves, Tennessee Volunteers, and Chattanooga Lookouts fan. She also enjoyed watching birds, but her most favorite pastime was spent spending time with her family.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, a son, David Ronald “Ronnie” Smith, sisters, Charlotte Sneed; Doris Chastain; and Nadine Hirst, and her brother, Jimmy Hirst.
Left behind to cherish Peggy’s memory are her husband of 70 years, Marvin Ronald Smith, sons, Stephen Michael Smith (Ginny); Marvin Warren Smith (Georgette), and Joseph Matthew Smith, her daughter, Jennie Lynne Fraiser (Phillip), 20 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, her sisters-in-law, Pam Hirst and Tina Elliot (Bob), brothers-in- law, Perry Smith and Charlie Smith, cousin, Ellen Tucker, several nieces and nephews, her best friend, Tina Ralston, and many more dear friends.
A Celebration of Peggy’s life will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, March 13th at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Nash officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in the Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park. Serving as Pallbearers are Matthew Edwards, Caleb Morang, Haiden Perry, Ben Smith, Stephen Green, and Michael McCrary. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Tyler Fraiser, Brad Smith, Chris Smith and Nick Smith.
The family would like to thank Hearth Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion shown to Peggy and her family.
Memorial contributions in Peggy’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation or the Charity of Your Choice.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com
Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, TN., has been entrusted with the arrangements.
