Lucy Mildred Smith

Lucy Mildred (Price) Smith, age 91, passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of February 24, 2013 at the Regency Retirement Home, Morristown, Tennessee. Mildred was born August 21st, 1921 into the large farm family of Nella and Bailey Price. Along with five sisters and three brothers, she spent her early years in rural Quitman, Mississippi. It was a difficult time and there was little money, but surrounded by a loving family and supported by a strong faith in God, Mildred grew and thrived to become an independent young woman. After graduating high school in 1940, she began training as a nurse. During her training at Matty Hersee Hospital in Meridian, MS, Mildred assisted a doctor in the preparation of the very first penicillin injection at that facility. On July 4th 1945, while attending further nursing training in Nashville, TN., Mildred met Robert (Bob) Smith, an Army Air Corps officer at a roller skating rink. They married two months and three days later on September 7, 1945. During the next 14 years, Mildred and Bob had three children and made multiple military moves within the United States, Germany, and England, culminating with arrival in El Paso, TX, June 1959. Over the next 34 years, the Smith family lived in El Paso. Mildred worked as a surgery nurse and frequent nursing supervisor at Southwestern General Hospital, was involved in the activities of her church, and became active in recycling and conservation activities. She served on the sanitation advisory board, conducted tin can recycling programs in the local schools, and even coordinated the building of a local park on property donated by her church. Mildred’s efforts earned her the nickname “El Paso’s Tin Can Lady” and in 1980, recognition as First Lady of Beta Sigma Phi. Following her husband’s death in 1991, Mildred moved back to Quitman, MS in order to be closer to her siblings. In Quitman, she remained active by speaking to high school health classes, assisting in local bible schools, and performing manicures for residents of a local retirement home. Mildred even found time to coordinate development of a small roadside park, complete with an artesian well providing clean water for passing travelers. In 2008, she authored and published an autobiography titled A Mississippi Girl Remembers. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Bob, and all of her siblings except the youngest sister, Ruth. Along with Ruth, she is survived by her children Dale (Mischa), Bryan (Lisa), and Shelley (Mike); grandchildren Andrew (Sarah), Patrick, Abby, and Robert; and a great granddaughter Averie. A memorial service is scheduled for 5:30 pm on February 27th at the New Tazewell United Methodist Church, New Tazewell TN. There is a visitation for friends at the church preceding the service from 4-5:30 pm. Mildred will be placed with her husband in a later burial service at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, TX. At 1:00PM Monday, March 4, 2013. Coffey Funeral Home in charge. www.coffeyfh.com.