Debra M. Smith

Debra Middleton Smith, 61, passed away on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 while vacationing in Alaska. She was born March 3, 1953 to Durward (Dewey) and Ruby Ruth Middleton. Mrs. Smith was a graduate of Tupelo High School and St. Dominic's School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse with North Mississippi Medical Center for over 25 years. Her love of caring for others did not end with her retirement from nursing. She adored her role as "Nonnie" helping to care for her grandchildren, was a vital member of numerous philanthropic organizations over the years, including The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary and Chapter R, P.E.O., and was an active and supportive patron of The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team ("FAACT"). She loved our Heavenly Father, his only Son, her family, her friends, and her fellow man. She never met a stranger. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Madison H. "Hamp" Smith; her children, Amelia Murphree (Will) and Wade Smith (Ginny); her grandchildren, Emma Lee Morrison, Robert Murphree, Tristan Smith, and Addison Smith; her aunts and uncles, Betty Craddock (Tony), Bob Ruth (Wren), and Mae Ruth; and countless friends and "family by choice." She was preceded in death by her parents and numerous aunts and uncles. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors with Rev. Russell (Rusty) Glasgow officiating.Pallbearers will be Philip Aguirre, Jim Beane, Jordan Beane, Pete Harris, Danny Hester, John Sims, Dennis Tregoning, and Gary Walker. Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Debra's name to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team ("FAACT"), P.O. Box 511, West Chester, OH 45071 ( www.foodallergyawareness.org ) or the Tupelo chapter of The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary ("SAWA"), 527 Carnation St., Tupelo, MS 38804.