Mary Margaret Smith

Mary Margaret Sullivan Smith, lovingly known as “Ms. M”, age 80, ran into the arms of her Savior on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

A service celebrating her remarkable life will be held on Sunday, April 26th at 3:30 pm, at DeKalb Baptist Church in DeKalb, Mississippi.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, prior to the service. Rev James Ruffin, Rev. Hal Bates, Rev. Tyler Smith, and Rev. Chris Gully will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at Rush Cemetery in the Kipling Community, with Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes in charge of the arrangements.

Ms. M, of DeKalb, departed this life and began her heavenly homecoming on April 22, 2026. She was the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Auzie Sullivan of Louisville, Mississippi.

She graduated from Louisville High School with the Class of 1963, then attended Clarke College in Newton before completing her undergraduate degree at Mississippi College.

Following graduation, she returned to Clarke College, where she served in multiple roles, including directing youth ministry teams that traveled to churches and conducted services. She remained there until her marriage to Robert M. Smith in 1969. In later years, she served on the college’s Board of Directors.

Ms. M devoted 40 years to education. She pursued graduate studies at The University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi State University.

Other teaching positions included Clarke College, Weir High School, West Lauderdale, Kemper County Schools, and East Mississippi Community College.

Her honors included Mississippi Woman of Achievement, Kemper County Citizen of the Year, EMCC Stellar Award for Faculty Member, Teacher of the Year, the Distinguished Service Award from EMCC, and being named a 2011 nominee for the Rush Caring Woman of East Mississippi.

While at EMCC, she was Coordinator of the Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker Program. She loved Christmas—her favorite time of year—because of the birth of her Savior. Each year, she coordinated the “Christmas with the Kids” program, providing assistance for children of single parents and many other families in the community. She often said her greatest joy on the EMCC campus was her involvement in the Chapel in the Pines building project. The story of the Chapel and Orr Center for Christian Activity reflects vision, faith, sacrifice, and the dedication of a community working together. Being part of that work remained closest to her heart.

For many years, Ms. M was a faithful and active member of DeKalb Baptist Church, where she served as a devoted Sunday School teacher, Bible Drill instructor, and Vacation Bible School director, investing deeply in the spiritual lives of children and families. She also served as chaplain of the Gideon Auxiliary and faithfully distributed Gideon Testaments, sharing her love of God’s Word with all she encountered.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 56 years, Robert M. Smith; her two beloved sons, Rob Smith (Lori) of Meridian and Jonathan Smith of DeKalb; and her grandchildren, Rev. Tyler Smith (Alex) of Meridian, Braden Smith of Meridian, and Morgan Smith of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Preceding her death is her grandson, Tristan Smith of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Pallbearers will be Braden Smith, Shane Baty, Don Stokes, Tommy Jones, Joe Vandevender, Troy Coward, and Gene McArthur. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Gibson and Jeb Pittman.

The family would also like to thank the love and service provided to Ms. M in her final days by Nancy Conner and the health care workers at Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made in Ms. M’s honor to Chapel in the Pines-Campus Ministry Fund, East Mississippi Community College Development Office, P.O. Box 158, Scooba, MS 39358.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb is grateful for the opportunity to honor Ms. M’s life and memory and to serve her loving family during this time.