Doris Smith

Doris Elizabeth Webb Smith passed away peacefully on January 12th, 2026 at the age of 97. She was born on June 18th, 1928 to Elder Thomas Lafayette and Mattie Elizabeth Browning Webb in Milan, Tn. After graduating from Milan High School (at the age of 16), she worked at multiple jobs including the Milan Shirt Factory, the Hosiery Mill, US Rubber and ITT. Then she found her real calling as Secretary to the Principal at Park Avenue School in Milan, and she worked there until her retirement. She also volunteered at the Milan Hospital as one of the "Pink Coat Ladies".

She found and married the love of her life, Max Smith, after he returned from WWII. Though raised a city girl, she learned to be a farmer's wife while raising her three children. Her hobbies included reading and writing and she became a skilled painter, with several of her paintings on display at different locations in Milan. She and husband Max enjoyed their retirement years which included trips to their cabin on Eagle Creek where many crappie were caught and cooked.

Doris was the oldest living member of New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, which she attended faithfully until health prevented.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother TL Webb Jr. and her husband, Max. She is survived by her three children, Polly Whitten (Charles), Emily Pierce (Hank) and Steve Smith (Donna), as well as Grandchildren Mike Smith, Kate Goodwin (David), Scott Smith (Stephanie), Cecelia Lighthall (Ricky), Mindy Pierce, Julie Thurman (Hunter), Jennifer Easterday (Ron), Jodi Vailes (Brian) and Chris Pierce (Jessie). In addition, there are 15 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great, Great Grandchildren.

Services will be held Sunday, January 18th, at Bodkin Funeral Home with visitation starting at 12:30pm and service at 2:30pm.

Bodkin Funeral Home

731-686-3111