Harriette Smith

Obituary of Harriette Smith

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Harriette Herring Smith, a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 87 on September 20, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on February 14, 1938, in Edinburg, Mississippi, to Robert Maxwell Herring, Jr., and Mattie Lou Bounds Herring, Harriette grew up with the steady virtues of faith, family, and service that would mark the rest of her life.

Harriette helped shape many young lives as a teacher in early education. She was also a faithful homemaker, a devoted mother, and-known to her grandchildren as "Gangan"-a proud grandmother. Her children, and especially her grandchildren, were her greatest joy in life. She loved each grandchild uniquely; she and her grandson Forrest shared an especially close bond.

Quiet and behind the scenes yet vital, Harriette was an indispensable partner in her husband's ministry. Dr. William A. "Billy" Smith often said he could not have served the Lord as well as he did without her steadfast support, prayer, and encouragement.

Those who knew Harriette will remember her exceptional cooking, her open door, and her open heart. She almost always made time for everyone and did her very best to understand their perspective-offering kindness, patience, and a listening ear.

Although she will be deeply missed, her legacy and love endure in the lives of those she touched-her family, her church, and the many she blessed with quiet acts of service.

Harriette was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, David Bounds Herring and Robert Maxwell Herring III; and her beloved husband of nearly 68 years, Dr. William A. "Billy" Smith. She is survived by her children, Michael and Sandy; Michael's wife, Sheila-Harriette's loving daughter-in-law; her grandchildren, Forrest, Halston, Eden, Ava Grace, and Mary Alice; and her great-grandchildren, Paisley, Wesley, and Grant.

A graveside service will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Saraland, AL on Tuesday September 23, 2025, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org/

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NIV)