Obit – Mrs. Sarah Pritchett Smith
Mrs. Sarah Pritchett Smith, age 85, of Brush Creek, TN, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The following was written by Mrs. Sarah Smith:
Sarah Forrest Pritchett Smith was born on April 12, 1941 on Denny’s Branch in New Middleton, TN to Janie Nellene Thomas Pritchett and Thomas Elmer Pritchett. Glenn James “Mutt” Pritchett, Linda, and Debbie made up her family. They later moved to Brush Creek, TN, on Ward Hollow Rd. Sarah attended the Brush Creek School where she graduated 8th grade, then graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1959.
She got a job at Watertown Shirt Factory and later in July met a young man, Jerry Smith who became her husband on December 19, 1959. They moved to Nashville where Jerry worked. In October 1960, God blessed them with a child, Randy who brought joy and laughter to our life. They later moved to Brush Creek. In 1963, God blessed them with Connie who brought more joy and laughter. Sarah worked at Alexandria Work Wear Company. In June 1972, God blessed them with another child, Sonja, still more joy and laughter. In May 1974, God sent us another bundle of blessing, Shane. The joy and laughter has continued. Not saying there hasn’t been heartaches along the way. God has been so so good.
We moved to Gordonsville in 1974 with Jerry as the Pastor of Gordonsville Nazarene Church for 10 years. While there I did things to help in God’s Kingdom – taught Sunday School, worked with the children, and whatever else needed doing. Not a piano player or singer though, I stayed in the background. Never the less, God was always so good to me. We had a great ten years. In 1984, we moved to Smithville to pastor the Smithville Nazarene Church. Hard struggle but God is so faithful. We had 23 good years. I literally did do everything there – Sunday School teacher, Missionary president, treasurer, church cleaner, cook for dinners, and anything else it required – Jerry said I even preached at times. I got a job at Smithville Elementary as a cook and later for a factory job and retired from Kingston Timers in 2003 after 13 years. God allowed Jerry and I to go to Mexico in 2005 – what an opportunity. We are so blessed. He went back in 2006 where God took him home. My life seemed to change as I lost my soulmate and teammate. I had to find myself. God provided me with a job at the Help Center where I worked for five years. For as such a time as this, it was such a blessing. For all the people I worked with and met, God used each one to bring me out of my despair.
I have had a wonderful life. God has been so so good to me. I may not have enough to get me out of Smith County, but I am the richest woman around. I pray that I have showed Jesus in my life and that you will want to meet Him. I plan on seeing you in Heaven. Keep your fork for the best is yet to come!
-Sarah Smith, March 2025.
Mrs. Sarah was preceded in death by Parents; Thomas Elmer Pritchett and Janie Nellene Thomas Pritchett. Husband of 47 years; Jerry Clifton Smith. Siblings; Linda Pritchett, James “Mutt” Pritchett, and Glenn Edward Pritchett. Grandson; Kobe Allen. Great-grandchild; Jaxson Miller.
She was saved at the Brush Creek Methodist Church, and was a member of the Gordonsville Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed the holidays and making memories with her children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Smith is survived by Children; Randy “Bubba” (Arlene) Smith of Brush Creek, TN, Bro. Shane (Amy) Smith of Gordonsville, TN, Connie (Ruben) Rodriguez of Brush Creek, TN, and Sonja Allen of Smithville, TN. Siblings; Debbie (James) Bush of Gordonsville, TN, Dennis (Cathy) Pritchett of Manchester, TN, and Tammy Ward of Lebanon, TN. 22 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Smith were conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 2PM with Bro. Shane Smith officiating. Interment followed in the Brush Creek Cemetery.
The family requests memorials be made to Gideons International or to the Gordonsville Church of the Nazarene.
BASS of GORDONSVILLE
