Frankie Smithers

Mary Frances "Frankie" Smithers went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 20, 2025, just a few weeks before her 95th birthday. She was the daughter of Lura Goss and Charles H. Bunch of Cleveland, MS. Growing up in Cleveland, MS, she attended Delta State, where she met her future husband, A.R. "Randy" Smithers. They were married 56 years before his death in 2006. She and Randy served several schools in Mississippi before settling in Holcomb, where she was the secretary/bookkeeper at Holcomb School. Eight years later, they moved to Grenada, where she was the secretary/bookkeeper at Jones Road Elementary School and Kirk Academy for 30 years. Frankie was a member of the D.A.R., Garden Club, and several civic clubs while in Grenada. In 2007 she moved to Hattiesburg to be close to her family. Frankie volunteered at Merit Health, enjoyed her aerobics classes, continued her involvement in the D.A.R., and was a member of Woodland Presbyterian Church. Whether Frankie was working at school, attending ballgames, or involved in community activities, she was always a joy to be around. Her contagious smile and compassionate demeanor attracted people to her, and she was a friend to everyone.

Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Denolis Boozer of Jacksonville, Fla.

She is survived by her four sons: Allen (Rene') Smithers of Hattiesburg, MS, Jack (Brenda) Smithers of Madison, MS, Michael Smithers of Sumrall, MS, and Brent Smithers of Hattiesburg, MS. Frankie (Meme) also leaves her beloved grandchildren: Chas (Amanda) Smithers, Amber (Samuel) Holdiness, Austin (Logan) Smithers, Arrie (Josh) Stevens, Jackie (Mike) Hardin, Emma Smithers, and Cole Smithers, along with 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two nieces.

The family would like to thank her sitters from Spirit and Truth Ministries and FGH Hospice for their care of Frankie.

Visitation will be held at McKibben & Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm, when a Service of Thanksgiving will begin. A graveside service will follow at Oddfellows Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be sent to Kirk Academy for the "Frankie Smithers Resource Room", P.O. Drawer 1008, Grenada, MS 38902, Woodland Presbyterian Church, 3903 Lincoln Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39402, or a charity of the donor's choice.