Terri Smith

A Mass of Christian Burial, honoring the life of Mrs. Teresa "Terri" Smith, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Bassfield, with interment to follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Father Chinnappa Raj Marc will officiate, assisted by Father Tomasz Golab. Mrs. Smith, age 72, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord on Friday, August 29, 2025, at her home in Bassfield, surrounded by her family. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The wake will begin at 5:30 pm and continue until 8:00 pm on Wednesday evening, September 3, 2025, at St. Peter Parish Hall, with the Rosary Service beginning at 5:30 pm. Friends may also call on Thursday morning, starting at 9:00 AM until the hour of the service.

Mrs. Smith will be carried to her final resting place by Dustin McNease, Blake McNease, Roland Harper, Scotty Burns, Wesley Daley, and Sean Burns.

Teresa Rose Smith was born on January 29, 1953, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin to Wayne and Marjorie Elliott O'brien.

Terri, as she was known to everyone, moved to Lawrence County when she was 13, after her father took a position with the St. Regis Paper Mill. Later, she would marry the love of her life, Hal Smith, and they would raise three children in Covington County, creating a family atmosphere filled with love and laughter. Terri's devotion to her family was evident in every aspect of their lives, from cheering them on during roping events, gymnastics, or softball games. Her children also hold fond memories of their mother making each one’s birthday memorable with their favorite meal and birthday cake, especially her Red Velvet Cake.

Terri dedicated many years to teaching at Bassfield Elementary School and serving as a bus driver for the Jefferson Davis and Covington County School Districts. However, it was her commitment to caring for individuals with special needs that brought her the most profound fulfillment. Her influence will be forever remembered by those at the Boswell Center and her students in the special education department at Collins Elementary, where she eventually retired. Her fingerprint of compassion and love remains etched in their hearts. Terri also proudly embraced the role of being a grandmother. She made sure each grandchild felt special and loved, basking in the warmth of her affection and attention.

A devoted member of St. Peter Catholic Church, she had served as a coordinator of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and helped facilitate music during Masses. As a coordinator of the CCD, she took parishioners under her wing, not only deepening their spiritual devotion but also helping them gain personal confidence and guiding them toward becoming more consecrated Catholics.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hal Smith; parents, Wayne and Marjorie O’brien; her brother, Patrick O’brien; and her sisters, Joan McSwain, and Kathy O’brien.

Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughters, Lisa McNease of Columbia, Tracy Flowers (Cody) of Bassfield; her son, Travis Smith (Heather) of Bassfield; her sisters, Nancy King (Ricky) of Idaho, Alice Saulters of Prentiss, Marie Oman of Wisconsin; and her brothers, Daniel O’brien (Melissa) of Kentucky, and Robert O’brien of Pennsylvania. The legacy of their Grandma will also live on through her grandchildren, Brittany McNease, Dustin McNease, Blake McNease, Hayden Smith, Jayden Smith, Mary Beth Smith, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.