Tara Smith Hontzas

She was born on September 8th,1962 in Alcoa, Tennessee where she grew up with a love of being outside and playing sports which later led to Tara’s passion as an avid Tennessee Volunteer fan. Tara attended Massena Central High School and later State University of New York at Potsdam, graduating in 1984. She majored in English Literature and Communication where she pursued her love for writing and sports by being a writer for the Sports column in the university and local newspaper.

Tara is survived by her two daughters, Jacqueline (Hunter) and Zoe, sister Jackie (Teddy), brothers Tony (Terry), Tim (Lisa), Tom, nieces and nephews, and grand dog, Peter. Tara is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Shirley Smith.

Tara loved the Lord and her family fiercely. Her girls, Jacqueline and Zoe, were her world. If you were honored enough to be her friend, you had a true friend through thick and thin. Tara had such a beautiful heart and loved unconditionally. She was a dedicated Tennessee Vols fan through the good and bad times and always referred to East Tennessee as God’s Country. Tara never met a stranger and is a light that will be missed dearly. Thank God for her beautiful soul and the many blessings she brought to everyone she touched. As Mother Theresa said, ‘Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier’. Tara emulated this each and every day in her life and may we all move forward in keeping these words and actions true in our lives to help carry on her legacy.

Visitation and funeral will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm with funeral beginning at 2:30 pm. Immediately following the funeral there will be a Celebration of Life honoring and celebrating the amazing life of Tara. The Celebration of Life will be held at Margarita Grill in Pelham, AL, one of her favorite places.

If you feel inclined, wear your favorite shade of ‘Tennessee Orange’ as we gather to share memories and stories of our mother, sister and friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Leukemia Research Foundation.