Birdie Smith Willoughby

Mrs. Birdie Ella Smith Willoughby, 96, former long-time resident of North Main Street in Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, July 7, 2007 at NHC Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Frank Smith officiating. Graveside services will be Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Neill Cemetery in Hardin County. The family will visit with friends Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols. Memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 689, Mt. Pleasant 38474. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.A native of Hardin County, she was the daughter of the late Ed Smith and Anna McCallum Smith. She was a graduate of Savannah Central High School and attended Bethel College. During World War II, Mrs. Willoughby taught in one and two-room schools in Wilson, Trousdale, and Greene counties.She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church.She was married June 9, 1928 to Rev. James Glenn Willoughby, long-time Cumberland Presbyterian minister. Rev. Willoughby died December 25, 1994.Survivors include two daughters, Hazel (Roy) Martin of Columbia and Helen Johnston of Knoxville; two sisters, Mary Williamson of Dallas, Texas and Emily Mooring of Kathleen, Georgia; a brother, Robert Smith Of Tallahassee, Florida; four grandchildren, Shirley (Willard) Johnson, Kathie Martin, Sandi (Ric) Lichtwardt, and Doug (Kelly) Mathis; eight great-grandchildren, Tammy Greksa, Jeff Johnson, Josh Martin, Anna Donohue, Joanna Martin, Katherine Burleson, Ethan Mathis, and Ryan Mathis; four great-great-grandchildren, Cole Cheek, Paige Cheek, Jake Johnson, and Lincoln Burleson; several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by a grandson, Ricky Martin; a sister, Eva Wood; and three brothers, Eldred Smith, Edgar Smith, and Dick Smith.Active pallbearers are Doug Mathis, Willard Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Josh Martin, Ethan Mathis, Ryan Mathis, Gary Greksa, Adam Burleson, Ric Lichtwardt, Cole Cheek, and Mark Donohue.Honorary pallbearers include members of Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of NHC Columbia and Caris Hospice for their special care and attention.