O’Lena Francis Vaughn Smith, went to be with the lord on Friday, June 12th, 2015 at Saint Thomas Hospital-Midtown.
Born in Smithville, Tennessee to Robert Lee Vaughn and Alice Marie Bluhm, she was one of 7 siblings. She had a wonderful childhood and loved her parents and siblings dearly. Her family moved from Smithville to Oakridge as a her dad and siblings took jobs at the Nuclear Plant there. She later went to college at Fort Sanders in Knoxville where she was near completion of her Registered Nurse degree when she met then our father, Donald Edgar Smith. They married on November 11th 1952 and moved to Oak Ridge. They had their first child, Donald Lee Smith in 1954. He was the pride and joy for them and their parents. The then moved to Houston Texas whereby dad was deployed to Korea for 2 years while Mom remained home to raise the family. Upon his return they relocated back to Tennessee to be closer to their parents. They went on to have two daughters, Susan Renee and Linda Joyce Smith, both born at St. Thomas in Nashville.
Their journey took them back to Houston, whereby their third daughter, Ginger Elaine was born.
After several years there, they moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fl. This was truly moms favorite place of all. The family would once again, return to Tennessee and make home there one last time. Mom remained a stay at home mom until she took a job at Coffee County Nursing home. She remained there for 19 years, so passionately caring for others. That was truly her calling. She devoted her entire adult life to her children and grandchildren. She loved them unconditionally and was surrounded by their love her entire life. She was a young mom, who stopped aging at 50. She enjoyed doing everything her children could do. She never missed an opportunity to go every year on beach trips, gambling in Vegas and Tunica. She loved her Atlanta Braves, almost as much as she loved her children. She could quote every statistic on the team and its players.
She had a full life until 4 1/2 years ago when her journey changed due to health reasons. But these past 4 1/2 years were also a blessing in disguise. She was able to receive love from so many who cared for her. From strangers, to all the nurses and physicians at Harton Hospital, to the many, many caregivers from Nashville, she knew she was loved. What mom didn’t have in size, she made up for it in personality and sheer perseverance. She never met a stranger and would help anyone in need, even if it meant doing without. Although her physical presence will be so missed, she will live one in our memories, and forever in our hearts. We look forward to the day when we will rejoin her, until till we know she is here with us in spirit.
She leaves behind one son, Donald Lee Smith, three daughters, Susan Prince Hiles (Dale), Ginger Elaine Bartlett ( Scott ), Linda Joyce Smith (Charles Yokley); grandchildren Daniel Nathan Prince, Deanna Leigh Smith, Alexander Graham Mayes, Kelsi Sue Bush; and one great-grand son, Jett Nathaniel Prince.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16th, 2015 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 4:00-6:00 pm with a celebration of life service to immediately follow at 6:00 pm with Dr. Don Dixon officiating.
There will be visitation following the service as well.
A private burial will take place on Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma.
Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.