Claire Smith's Obituary
Claire Harrison Smith was born October 23, 1927 in Memphis, TN. She passed from death into eternal life on February 28, 2011 at the age of 83. Her early years were lived in Robinsonville and Tunica, MS. As a young girl she moved with her family to the Whitehaven area of Memphis. Claire was a Tiger fan through-and-through: not only was she was a graduate of Whitehaven High School but a perennial season ticket holder of the University of Memphis basketball team. Following high school she attended Wesleyan Conservatory of Music in Macon, GA on a drama scholarship. Claire was a former member of the Memphis Beethoven Club, Opera Memphis, Memphis Story Tellers League and Past President of the Memphis Union Mission Ladies Auxiliary. She was active in politics participating for many years in the Shelby County Republican Women’s Club. Her musical talents and achievements have been evident throughout her life: during WWII she performed in USO shows with the band leader Clyde McCoy; she served as the first choral director of Evangelical Christian School – Memphis and in 1986 she won the Senior Division of the Mid-South Fair Talent Competition. She was often called upon to provide musical programs for organizations throughout the city and always enjoyed the opportunity to share her witness for Jesus Christ to everyone she met. Among her favorite places to serve was Teen Challenge of Memphis. Claire was a faithful member of First Assembly of God – Memphis and for many years sang in the Sanctuary Choir. She leaves her husband of 60 years, Eugene L. Smith of Southaven, MS, previously from Germantown, TN, two daughters Debra Smith Grubbs (Ray) of Ridgeland, MS, and Micah Smith Crisp (Dwane) of Olive Branch, MS. She leaves 4 grandchildren, Michael Grubbs of Arlington, VA, Hailey Hoyt Black (Jeremy) of Ozark, MO, Ashley Hoyt Benson of Olive Branch, MS, and Whitney Crisp of Nashville, TN. She also leaves 3 great-grandchildren, Catherine Micah Benson, Ethan Benson and Logan Black as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Gloria Dale Reid (W.L.) of Hernando, MS, and her parents Gibson and Lillian Harrison of Memphis, TN. Claire had many special roles in her life – wife, sister, friend, daughter, role model, prayer warrior, mother, grandmother and great -grandmother. But her most cherished role always was as a child of God. The family would like to thank the loving staff of Dr. Robert Burns, Dr. Robert Segal, Hermitage Gardens of Southaven, Comfort Keepers of Memphis and Spring Valley Hospice of Olive Branch for their tender and compassionate care of Claire over the past years. Services to celebrate Claire’s life will be held at First Assembly of God – Memphis on Saturday, March 5. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m. followed by the service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Falkner Cemetery in Falkner, MS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Assembly of God – Memphis 8650 Walnut Grove Rd. Cordova, TN 38018, Teen Challenge 33 N. Cleveland Memphis, TN 38104 or The Hands of Christ P.O. Box 1252 Franklin, TN 37065. Claire asked that 3 of her favorite Bible verses be listed here. II Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Isaiah 1:19 & 20 – “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. I Thessalonians 4:16 – For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. God is Good..All the Time. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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