Reda M Smith

Reda Marie Smith, a woman of deep faith and love for her family, passed away on January 9, 2026, at Southern Hills Hospital in Nashville, TN. Born in Providence, KY, to the late JD and Lorene Morse, Reda spent her 85 years proving that you can never truly judge a book by its cover.
For years, Reda lived a devoted life as a "Preacher's Wife," supporting her husband the late T. Frank Smith, throughout his career and during his leadership at Rutledge Falls. After his passing, she joined and became a faithful member of Parkway Baptist Church in Smyrna and a master of the crochet hook. But while she spent her Sundays in the pew, Reda had a wild side that the family absolutely adored.
In her middle-age years, she made history as the first woman in Tennessee to earn a motorcycle license. Her adventurous spirit only sharpened with age; she walked into a tattoo parlor for the first time at age 63 and didn't stop until she had a collection of eight total tattoos! She was famously obsessed with butterflies, though she'd be the first to tell you she wasn't much of a "social butterfly" herself, she preferred the company of her grandkids and her beloved grandogs.
Perhaps her most legendary title, however, was "Stripper Granny." While the name always earned a wink and a laugh, it was a title she wore with pride from her days as a printing press operator for Wisco, where she worked as a "stripper" in the printing department. Whether she was working the press, riding her bike, or spoiling her grandbabies, Reda did it with a one-of-a-kind personality that ensured she would never be forgotten.
Reda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, T. Frank Smith; her sister, Freda (Jim) Kemp; and her brothers-in-law, Robert Melloy, Jim Kemp, Daryl Hendrix, and Steve Linzy.
Her legacy of faith and feistiness lives on through her children, John (Sherrie) Smith, Lisa (Marvin) Estes, and Lori (Jimbo) Murphy; and sisters, Patricia Hendrix and Charlene Linzy. She also leaves behind "her boys"-her brothers-in-law Earl (Lisa) Melloy and Sam (Linda) Melloy-as well as sister-in-law Sandra Melloy. Her memory will be kept alive by her grandchildren Elayne Smith, John Smith Jr., Bethany O'Brien, Marvin Estes Jr., Melissa Estes, BJ Murphy, Brett Murphy, and Brady Murphy, along with 10 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren who will all grow up hearing the legendary stories of their "Stripper Granny."
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Reda's colorful life this Friday, January 16. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Beech Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in Beech Grove, TN.
In honor of Reda's love for children, memorial donations may be made to the Tennessee Children's Home by contacting Cheryl at 615-376-3140.