Saranell Fortson Smith

She was born on September 9, 1927, in Collinsville MS, to L. T. Fortson and Jewel Cox Fortson. She moved to Meridian at a young age and was raised there. After graduating from Meridian High School, she began working for the Ford Motor Company. She married Oscar Dunn (Smitty) Smith in 1948, and moved with him to several Southern states during his career with the Federal Aviation Administration, until settling in the Jackson area in the mid sixties. They initially lived in Jackson, then later built the first house in Audubon Point at the Reservoir in 1971 and lived in that area for many years. There were many fun adventures in this house, including pool parties and boat rides. They designed and built a second home in the late eighties in Bay Pointe Golf subdivision and had many wonderful memories in that beautiful home.

Sara spent many happy years at Blackwell Chevrolet in the Fleet Leasing Department. She especially enjoyed working for her nephew-in-law, Dean Gebhart, as a secretary in his business, and helped him well into her eighties. Sara was a busy, loving, vivacious woman with many talents who dearly loved her family and friends and never met a stranger. Hospitality was an integral part of her being. She was so much fun to be around and kept you laughing all of the time.

Sara was involved in all of her daughters’ school and extracurricular activities. She had a special gift for storytelling and writing letters and could tell wonderful tales about her youth and people she had known. She was an incredible seamstress who made most of her daughters’ clothes when they were growing up. Her culinary skills were legendary, especially her roast beef and gravy. Cooking was not her favorite thing to do, however. She often said that if something happened to Smitty, she was having the stove removed. After family members and friends protested, she agreed to leave it alone.

Two of Sara’s favorite pastimes were decorating and gardening. She designed the last house she lived in and decorated several other homes. She especially loved Christmas and had the gift of whimsy in making her home and yard look like a veritable Winter Wonderland every year. Unwrapping gifts was a multi-hour experience with an abundance of love, libations, and laughter. Sara enjoyed gardening and her flowers and yard looked like they should be displayed in Southern Living. She and Smitty loved traveling and made many visits to Branson MO.

Sara was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Smitty, parents, L. T. and Jewel Fortson, sister, Edith Kathleen Tolbert and brother, Theo Fortson. She is survived by her much adored daughters, Donna Smith of Brandon and Rosanne Smith James (Dr Everett Hyman) of Santa Fe and extended family who will greatly miss her, Belinda McCafferty of Atlanta, and Mickey James of Pensacola. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Ann Baine Fortson of Owensboro KY, and nieces, Susan Fortson Lonowski of Owensboro KY, Sally Fortson Treppendahl of Woodville MS, and Marjorie Smith Gebhart (Dean) of Jackson, along with their families.

The family would like to send special thanks to the amazing, caring and loving staff at Brandon Court Nursing Home, who provided excellent care of Sara. In addition, we send special thanks to the staff of PAX Hospice for providing their care and support during this time.

Visitation will be from Parkway Funeral Home 1161 Highland Colony Parkway Ridgeland, MS., 39157 on Monday October 20, 2025 from 2:00-4:00PM, followed by private entombment in the mausoleum.

If you would like to honor Sara’s memory, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.