Ann Parrott Smith

Ann Parrott Smith, age 85, passed peacefully with her family by her side on June 26, 2025. She was born in 1940 in Wirmingham, Pickett County, Tennessee, the daughter of Herman Parrott of Celina and Sally Ermon Parris of Pickett County. She grew up on the working farm, where her love of family, community, and a strong work ethic took root.

Ann graduated from Pickett County High School in 1958—the same year she was crowned Miss Pickett County. She went on to earn her degree in Vocational Home Economic Education from Tennessee Tech in 1961. Her career was dedicated to serving others through education, spending 42 years with the University of Tennessee Extension Services, where she retired as a Program Assistant in the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program. She poured her heart into teaching children and families across schools and community centers about the importance of good nutrition and healthy living. Her work left a lasting impact on many Tennessee families, but it was the personal connections she made along the way that she treasured most.

Mom's life was rooted in love, and nothing mattered more to her than family and friends.

She is survived by her children—Melisa Kelton, Michelle Eaton (Tony), Scott Smith, and Lane Edgar (Jake)—and grandchildren who lit up her life: T.J. Eaton (Mallory) and Taylor Eaton; Ava, Jillian, and Scarlett Kelton; and Alison Smith—and great-grandchildren, Myles and Wyatt Eaton. She also leaves behind her beloved sister Evelyn Lee (R.D.), along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her dear friends who felt like family. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Rosalyn Mills (Tom).

Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Will "Smitty" Smith; her parents, Ermon and Hermon Parrott; her brothers, Harold (Claudell), Clay (Shirley) and Gene (Mary Lou); and her sister, Leiron McNabb (Jim).

Ann had a gift for making people feel welcome. It didn't matter if you had made plans to visit or just dropped by—she would greet you with a tall glass of sweet tea and rustle up a sandwich in no time. You weren't going to leave her house without being fed, and it didn't matter what time of day it was. She loved entertaining, and her home was always open to those she loved.

Ann treasured family Sunday lunch gatherings around her big lazy-susan table along with holiday celebrations filled with laughter and stories told and retold. Attending the annual Parrott and Parris family reunions were events she always looked forward to each summer. Summer days at Center Hill Lake held a special place in her heart with Smitty and her children. After retirement, Ann and Smitty became "Florida Snowbirds" and cherished their beach months together—days filled with sunshine, walks in the sand, and viewing the amazing sunsets each night.

Travel wasn't just a hobby for Ann—it was a way of life, a source of joy, and a window into the world's beauty and diversity. She especially loved traveling the country with her family in their beloved RV, the "American Clipper," journeying though all 48 mainland states, Mexico and Canada. Later she added Hawaii, Alaska, and 38 countries to her travel experiences. For Ann, travel meant more than sightseeing; it was about being together, creating shared memories, and embracing the wonder in every new experience.

Ann lived with a gentle strength and a deep well of kindness. She believed in learning, in caring for yourself and others, in keeping your door open and your heart even more so. She didn’t need the spotlight—she just wanted to make the people she loved feel safe, seen, and cherished.

In true Ann fashion, she requested a private family service. The family will celebrate her life in the ways she loved most—together, with food, laughter, and stories.

She will be missed dearly but remembered every day with love and a deep appreciation.

If you’d like to honor Ann, consider sharing a meal with someone you love or taking time to care for yourself and others—just like she always did. In her final days, the compassionate care of Alive Hospice of Nashville brought great comfort to both her and the family. If you feel moved to honor her memory in another way, a nonprofit donation to Alive Hospice of Nashville would be welcomed.

The Smith Family