Wynette Smith Holt passed away at home on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
She was born May 4, 1928 in St. Elmo where she grew up. She was a lifelong member of St. Elmo UMC and United Methodist Women. A graduate of City High School, Wynette was employed at Hamilton/First Tennessee Bank for 30 years.
Wynette was predeceased by her husband, Paul “Cotton” Holt, her parents Manzo F. and Jennie Babb Smith and her siblings Manzo F. Smith, Jr, Conrad R. Smith, Muriel Smith Walden, Lucille Smith O’Kelley,James T. Smith , Murray R. Smith, Audrey Smith Holland Duckett, Stanley D. Smith, Paul A. Smith and Jack B. Smith.
Wynette and Cotton moved from St. Elmo to Lookout Mountain, where she continued her deep and abiding love of nature. A Girl Scout leader, she taught her scouts, her children and grandchildren, to identify every bird, every flower and shrub growing on the mountain and how to make Sassafras tea. She hiked most trails in the Chattanooga area throughout her life and was a member of the Cumberland Hiking Club and a volunteer at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center. She also took up painting at the young age of 90.
Wynette’s smile, humor and laughter as well as her indomitable spirit, keen curiosity, and deep love for her family are her legacy to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughters, Paulette Van Matre (Joe), Susan Card Hunter (Don) and Jenny Patterson (the late Jim Patterson); her grandchildren Alexis Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Sissy Berube (Ryan), Lew Card (Laura), Nate Card (Starr), Morgan Patterson Mindy, Kilbi and Keli Stark (David) , twelve great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and her dear friends John and Eve Oldham Harris.
Wynette and her family were blessed by the loving and excellent care given to her during her illness by Deborah Turner and Brandie Nelson of Hearth Hospice as well as caregivers Tammy Ashley, Ivy Bonner, Jamie Banks, Crystal Cadieux, Annette Zargosa and Joan Gass.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37419.
Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 423 821-7551.
Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.