Mary Estella Smith

Mary E. Hayes Smith, 71, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2008 in an Etowah healthcare facility. She was a member of Cambria Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith served 10 years in the Gospel Music Ministry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Hayes and Rubell Wilcox Hayes.

She is survived by her husband, Arnold Smith of Benton; daughters, Debbie Passmore and husband, Alan of Maryville, Shannon Wilcox and husband, Johnny of Benton and Sandy Allen and husband, Bob of Clinton; sons, Chris Smith and wife, Amanda of Benton, Ronnie Smith and wife, Phyllis of Benton, James Smith and wife, Valerie of Ocoee; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; sister, Robin Jenkins of Benton; brother, Everett D. Hayes and wife, Connie of Laverne, AL and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2008 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with the Reverend Homer Belcher and the Reverend Joel Jenkins officiating. Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in Cambria Church Cemetery with her grandsons serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the services.

Her family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2008 at the funeral home.

The family requests that memorials be made to Chris' Ministry, The One-Man Quartet, 297 Harmony Lane, Benton, TN 37307.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Smith family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.