Affectionately called Mom, Ma’Dear, Granny, Gammah, Ms. Janie or Sis. Smith,  Janie Lee Smith lived an extraordinary life. Although she never strayed far from her native Mississippi, for nearly a century she impacted several generations of family and friends around the world.

Born in rural Mississippi on December 11, 1915, to the Late Tony and Mattie Pettus of Wahalak, Mississippi, Janie spent much of her formative years working on her father’s farm in Electric Mills  The sixth of nine children, Janie understood that she needed to pattern her life as an example for many to follow.  She would often say, “If you do what is right in the sight of others, your good deeds will not go unnoticed.”

As a child, Janie was drawn to music and learned to play the piano, a trade she plied at in churches throughout Central Mississippi. As a teenager, Janie accepted Jesus Christ as her savior, a decision that would offer comfort, guidance and joy in the years to come.

After graduating from Wesley High School (Class of 1935) in Merdian, Janie decided to become a teacher. Guided by the segregationist mandates of the day, she taught black children various subjects in schools around the county. She urged students to apply themselves, study hard and never give up on their dreams.

Love found Janie in the early 1940s, when she met a young preacher named the Rev. Willie Lee Smith, of Butler, Alabama. The preacher was drawn to Janie’s irresistible charisma and style. After a brief courtship, the couple wed on July 25, 1942. To this union, six children were born: Dorothy, Sarah, Bertha, Willie Floyd, Percy and Mattie. The Smiths also reared one grandson as their own, Willie Lee Smith.

Despite her untiring love and devotion to her marriage and family, Janie’s first love always remained Jesus Christ. She joined the Union Baptist Church, where she was based for much of her life. For a time, she also was a member of the Mt. Aararat Baptist Church. At Union Baptist, she served faithfully as president of the Senior Choir, president and member of the Missionary Department, and was appointed the Eldest Mother of the church. She was a faithful member at Union Baptist as long as her health permitted.

Janie Lee Smith went to be with the Lord on September 13, 2014. She was 98.

Throughout her years, Janie’s spiritual faith was unwavering. Her moral convictions were strong and her commitment to service never faltered. She strived to allow her life to be a light that would show others the love of Christ.

Truly a matriarch, Janie was the backbone of her family. Her life was a blueprint for all to follow.  She was “mother” to many, an inspiration to others, and an inspiration to those who crossed her path.  As Janie’s family grieves her passing, they also celebrate a life well lived. All who knew her would agree that she personified Matthew 5:16 by letting her “light so shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”We thank God for Momma and her example of unconditional love and commitment which shown brightly throughout her life.  All who knew her would agree that she “Let her light so shine so that men may see her good works and receive the salvation of the Lord.”