Frances Etheridge Smith

Frances Etheridge Smith passed away and was welcomed into Heaven by our Lord and Savior on April 3, 2026. Fran was born in Opelika, AL on January 26, 1957 to Robert and Doris Etheridge. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Joseph Boykin Smith, and her two sons, Jake Smith, wife April Miller Reed Smith (Tad, Trent, Miller and Turner) and Jeff Smith, wife Shellie Goree Smith (Grayson and Grant); and sisters Barbara Etheridge Hamilton and Rebecca Etheridge Saggus, husband Gary Saggus and a beloved group of nieces and nephews and a special friend Sherry Leigh Meadows. 

Fran graduated from Scott Preparatory School a year early in 1974 to finish with Boykin and start their life together. Fran was an extraordinary wife, mother, sister, friend and caregiver. Fran’s passion in life was supporting her children as they played whatever sport was in season. That passion carried over to her grandchildren and was that way until the end. She will be most remembered for her quick wit, wonderful sense of humor and always putting others first even to her detriment. She had numerous surgeries and battled sickness most of her adult life but never let that interfere with being a mom or a friend.  

A visitation for Fran will be held Monday, April 6 from 10AM-Noon at Jeffcoat-Trant, followed by a memorial service for Family at Noon. The officiant will be Rick Lane of the First United Methodist Church. 

In Lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Lee County Humane Society. If you knew Fran, she loved her dogs.