Sherra Crawford Smith, of Brookhaven, died peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday evening, December 17, 2024. All services will be held at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, December 20 and 21. Visitation is Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral is Saturday, December 21, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow.
Mrs. Smith, 78, was born August 1, 1946, in Magnolia, Mississippi, to Chillis and Dorothy (Davis) Crawford. She graduated from South Pike High School and furthered her education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. During this time, she met and married the love of her life, Hamp. Married for almost 60 years, they have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. Whereas Hamp finds his joy working the family farm, Sherra wholeheartedly committed herself to building a loving and caring home for their sons, Scott and Brett. Not only did she serve her home with gladness, she used her spiritual gifts to serve others in her church and throughout the community. At Heucks Retreat, she could be found mentoring youth, rocking babies, leading the choir, participating in Women’s Ministry, playing the piano, or teaching a Sunday school class, but the role she cherished most was serving as Vacation Bible School Director at Heucks Retreat for over 40 years! In the community, she found joy in serving others, especially children, through organizations such as the Junior Auxiliary of Brookhaven (past president and Golden Crown Recipient), Brookhaven School District (PTA member from 1979-1996 and BSD Parent of the Year 1996), the Willing Hearts Circle (joined in 1995), Silver Cross Nursing Home Trustee, woman’s chairman of Lincoln County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and the King’s Daughters Medical Center Board of Trustees from 2001-2009 and 2014-2024, serving as chairman numerous times. In 2009, she was recognized as the Mississippi Hospital Association’s Trustee of the Year. She was the first woman to receive this coveted award. When Sherra had a moment to spare, you could find her cheering on the Panther football team, canning, sewing, cooking, gardening, birdwatching, and traveling.
Preceding her in death are her parents, and brother, Maxie Crawford; brother, Winston “Wink” Crawford, and wife Shirley, and brothers-in-law, David Allen Farnham, Sr. and Rudy Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband William “Hamp” Smith; son, Scott and wife, Heather Smith; son, Brett and wife, Erin Smith; grandchildren, Logan, Abby, Landon, Bryce, Hampton, and Ashlynn; sister, Katie Farnham; sister, Debbie and husband, Mark Smith; brother-in-law, Rev. Bobby and wife, Nina Smith; sister-in-law Patsy and husband, Perry Atherton; and sister-in-law, Linda Smith, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Heucks Retreat Baptist Church’s Oberschmidt Park Fund (2167 Heucks Retreat Rd NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601 or online at hrbaptist.net)
