Annie Smith
Annie B. (Ricks) Smith, 85, started her earthly journey on February 9, 1931, in Colbert County, Leighton, AL, and lived in Chattanooga, throughout her adult life. She died on May 2, 2016 at the Life Care Center of Collegedale.
Annie Blanch grew up in the town of Leighton, AL and attended St. James Elementary School and Leighton Training School. Because of her stature she was affectionately known as ‘Lil Folks’, a nickname that stayed with her throughout her lifetime.
She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of St. James Baptist Church in Leighton, AL.
On June 7, 1947 Annie Blanch married Balus Smith Sr. To this union nine children were born. She is mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother to over 120 descendants.
In 1950, Annie Blanch, along with her family, moved to Chattanooga. Here they united with the St. John Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Samuel R. Spence. She served as the Church Financial Secretary and Junior Matron. Annie Blanch accepted her role and responsibilities as a Deaconess when her husband was ordained as a Deacon in 1951.
Annie Blanch became a ‘preacher’s wife’ in 1955, when her husband accepted his call to the ministry. Accepting the challenge, she assisted Rev. Smith with many church assignments as he served as interim Pastor of the Mt. Joy Baptist Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, Spring City, TN, and the Mission Ridge Baptist Church.
Annie Blanch became ‘first lady’ at the Little Zion Baptist Church in Stevenson, AL, from 1960 to 1971, and at the First Baptist Church of Ooltewah, from 1961-1978, when Rev. Balus Smith, Sr. became pastor of these two churches.
March 1979, the First Baptist Church of Washington Hills was organized in the home of Rev. and Sis. Smith. The name of the Church was submitted by Annie B. Smith. She became First, First Lady of First Baptist Church of Washington Hills, and organized the first Usher’s Board, Women’s Sunday School Class, served as the first Vacation Bible School Director and Church Mother.
Annie B. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Mote Ricks and Ola Mae West; husband, Rev. Balus Smith, Sr.; son, Jerry Smith; grandsons, Joshua Newton, Timothy Bumpass, JaWon Smith; brothers, Curtis King, Emmett Ricks, Robert Shaw, Sr.; sisters, Edna West, Earline Jackson, Lucille Abernathy; aunts, Sarah Madden, Lucy Ford.
Her memories will be cherished by her children, Balus Jr. (Sheryl) Smith, Rev. James Sr. (Eddie Ruth) Smith, Deacon Donnie (Rebecca) Smith, Maryjane Johnson, Deacon Calvin (Sheila) Smith, John (Sharon) Smith, Niceville, FL, Rev. Samuel Smith, Annie Marie (Claude) Johnson; sister, Gernice Ricks, Leighton, AL; brother, Willie Frank West, Leighton, AL; sisters-in-law, Annie C. Ingram, Leighton, AL, Alma Knowles, Covington, GA; daughters-in-law, Larcenia Custer, Linda Casteel Smith; dear friend, Lucy Mae Jones, St. Louis, MO; a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, in-laws, other relatives, friends, host of church family members and neighbors.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 9, at noon at Greater Tucker Baptist Church, at 1115 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411 with Pastor Ronnie Bullard, officiating and Rev. Jay P. Trimble, Pastor of Prospect Baptist Church, eulogist. Interment – Lakewood Memory Gardens – East.
The body will lie in state after noon until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home; and the family will receive friends from 5–7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Washington Hills, located at 5611 Upshaw Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.