Mabel Smith

Mabel Dean Phillips Smith, age 71, of Northport, died June 22, 2011, at home. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Phillips Chapel Free Will Baptist Church with Jerry Montgomery and Terrell Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Phillips Chapel Cemetery with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services at the church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Belton and Lavada Phillips, and her sister, Melba Jean Holloway, all of Northport. Survivors include her soulmate of 51 years, Orman Smith of Northport; daughters, Donnia Rhoden (Doug), Sondra Lollar (Sherman), and Connie Booth (Skipper), all of Northport; son, Orvis Smith (Deanna) of Northport; sister, Linda Watkins (John) of Columbus, Miss.; grandchildren, Brandy Cunningham, Aundrea Lollar, Rocky Rhoden, Beau Smith, Tiffany Rhoden, and Forest Smith; and four great-grandchildren, Chasity, Alex, Bayla, and Ada. Her happiest moments were when her kitchen was filled with friends and family. She loved to laugh and could always make us smile. She never measured anything, whether she was cooking or distributing love, but she always put in just the right amount. Everyone who knew her has their own special memory of "Mabe." She will live forever in the many funny stories and memories, as well as her beautiful recipes for life and love. Pallbearers will be her sons-in-law and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her very special nieces, Wanda Green, Rhonda Smith, and Kristi Hayworth. Thank you to our dear friends and family for the outpouring of love that was shown to her during this long illness. Special thanks to her caregivers, Tameka Patton and the sweet nurses of Amedisys Hospice, and Dr. Pamela Hughes.