Zella M. Smith

Zella Mae Smith age 85, departed life on earth for her heavenly life with Jesus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. Zella was the daughter of the late Harlan and Cordelia McCowan. Zella Mae worked at Athens Products and retired in the early 1990s.Zella was born in Niota, TN, and raised in the Oak Grove community. She was a graduate of Cook High School and was on the  EastTennessee State Championship Basketball Team 3 years in a row under coach Margaret Gaines. She was also on the softball team at Cook High where she was an outstanding fast pitch pitcher. Zella was united in marriage on December 7, 1957, to Fred Smith of Lanetown, Niota, TN., and he preceded her in death on January 13, 2009. To this union, three children were born.

Zella has been an active faithful member of Light of Life Faith Ministries International ( OFCC) for more than 40 years, serving under Pastor Dr. Harold McCowan. She has served on the church kitchen committee, choir, children’s nursery, greeters committee, Phase II, after-school feeding program, PAC committee, Finance committee, Prison Ministry Men & Women, Mother’s Board, VVWWomen’s Group, and Intercessory prayer group. She also worked in McMinn County voting precincts.

Zella was preceded in death by her loving husband Fred Smith, and son Fred Ervin ‘Slick’ Smith. Her brothers, H.C. McCowan, Kenneth McCowan, Eugene McCowan, and Lewis McCowan, sisters, Florence Moore and Loretta Ferguson.

Left to cherish her life are her children, Regenia G. Smith, Brian(Jacqueline) Smith, her brother, James (Pam) McCowan, and sister-in-law, Ethel Mae McCowan. Grandchildren, Jules Moore, Kiera(Daniel) Benson, Kalisha and Kalita Smith, Brianna Smith. Great-grandchildren, Ava and Emy Benson, daughter-in-law, Marlene McClendon, devoted nephews, and nieces, Rev. R.T. ( Etta) Smith, Veronica Clark, Lisa Ramsey, Brenda Parks, Abbey Davis, Donna Faye, Michelle and Cynthia Ferguson, Duke and Jeffery Ferguson, and  Ben McCowan, special family friend Ellis Barber. Her special friends on the Mother’s Board at Light of Life Faith Ministries International, and a host of many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

Home Going Celebration services will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Light of Life Faith Ministries International in Athens, TN., with Pastor, Dr. Harold McCowan delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Visitation by friends will be Monday, July 31, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home – 502 Congress Parkway Athens, TN. Interment will follow the service at Lanetown Cemetery, in Niota, TN.