Nelda Fay Smith Pinson, 86, of Paris, Tennessee, passed away Friday, April 14, 2023, at Henry County Medical Center.
Nelda Fay Smith Pinson was born Wednesday, October 7, 1936, in Henry County, Tennessee, to the late Rexie P. Smith and the late Lola Harris Smith Dunn.
Mrs. Pinson grew up in the VanDyke community and was a graduate of E.W. Grove High School and of the American School of Journalism.
Nelda worked as a secretary for the Mitchum Company, formerly of Paris, worked and retired as manager of the State of TN Employment Security office in Paris.
She was a freelance writer and author of a number of books, also serving on several committees with her church, and in the city, county and state capacities.
She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church, belonged to Friends of the Library and the Henry County Heritage Center.
She married William Joe Pinson Friday, July 18, 1980, and he preceded her in death Saturday, November 27, 1999.
She is survived by her daughters: Cheryl (Dusty) Stout, of Paris, Lisa (Tim) Kist, of Springville, Lori Flynn and special friend: Mark Stambaugh, of McKenzie, Rhonda (Roger) Burgess, of Springville, Cynthia (Gary) Clark, of Mansfield, Lisa (Chris) Isbell, of Jackson; son: William Anthony (Barbara) Sanders, of Paris; daughter-in-law: Brenda Pinson, of Paris; grandchildren: Erick (Jannie) Sanders, Whitney (Justin) Muller, Courtney Parker, Neil (Katie) Thompson, Chad (Holly) Thompson, Will Burgess (Lauren Presson), Melanie (Jeremy) Hendon, David (Rebecca) Peale, Jill Ann (Dougie) Thomas, Carrie (Eric) Cross, Sydney Grace Kist, Jeremy (Crystal) Isbell, Kevin Isbell, Anna (Nathan) Handley, Brittany (Brent) Smith, Tiffany (Jeremy) Douglass, Cody Stout, Joel (Amy) Stout; 30 great-grandchildren survive and one preceded her in death; twin sister: Ruthie Parker, of Paris; step-sister: Jamie (Bobby) Bass, of Henderson, Tennessee; special friend and caregiver: Pat Haynes.
Nelda is also survived by her grandpets: Daisy, Harley, Molly, Gus, and Teddy Bear; a multitude of other family members and friends that she considered dear and will be missed by all.
Besides her parents and husband, Nelda is also preceded in death by her step-father: Dudley Dunn; former husband: William Curtis Sanders; sons: James T. Sanders and Gary Pinson; sisters: Jarutha (Art) Waymire and Gayle Smith; brothers: J.W. (Martha) Smith, Paul T. Smith; and brother-in-law: Wallace Parker.
Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at McEvoy Funeral Home with Bro. Johnny Farmer and Bro. Dusty Stout, along with a family member and friend officiating.
Burial will follow the service in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Named as pallbearers are Erick Sanders, David Peale, Neil Thompson, Chad Thompson, Will Burgess, Michael Parker, and David Smith.
Visitation for Mrs. Pinson is scheduled Monday, April 17, 2023, at McEvoy from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, April 18, 2023, after 11:00 a.m. until time of service.
Nelda requested that memorials be made in memory of Jason Smith to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.
Arrangements by McEvoy Funeral Home, 507 W. Washington St., Paris, Tennessee, 38242; www.mcevoyfuneralhome.com.