Mrs. Mattie Lee Smith, 80, of Seale, AL passed Friday, December 16, 2022 in Seale, AL.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, December 24, 2022 at Friendship Baptist Church #3, Hurtsboro (Wende Community) AL with Rev. Thomas Gathwright, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in church cemetery. Visitation is Friday, December 23, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. EST.

Mattie L. Smith affectionately known as “Sister” was born May 18, 1942, in Hurtsboro, Alabama to the late Clinton and Martha Pollard Jackson.

Mattie confessed Christ at an early age and joined Friendship Baptist Church #3. She later moved to Chicago, Illinois and joined Triedstone M.B. Church, which later became Christian Covenant M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor and founder J.W. Siler, where she served faithfully on the Usher Board and Kitchen Committee until moving back to Alabama reuniting with her Friendship Church family.

Mattie was united in holy matrimony to the late Edward L. Smith, Sr. for 51 years. He preceded her in death 7 months to the day of her passing.

She was employed with Bay’s English Muffins and the Chicago Public School System before becoming a stay-at-home mother and childcare provider. She was highly recommended and demanded in the community to provide care for children that she loved so much.

Mattie was a mother figure to many in her family, friends and neighbors. She was an avid gardener with a “growing hand” and maintained an immaculate yard filled with beautiful flowers and vegetables. She loved to cook and was very good at it, and loved to entertain family and friends especially on the holidays.

Mattie was preceded in death by four sisters, Lula B. Lindsey, Clara Johnson, Cora Young and Mary Passmore; four brothers, Curtis, Albert, Eddie B. and Osburn Jackson; a bonus grandchild, Khiry Taggert; a life long best friend, Nancy Siler Struggs and a niece that she raised as her own Francine Johnson Harding.

She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Jacqueline Smith Phenix City, AL and Patricia Smith Mack Seale, AL one son, Edward L. Smith, Jr. (Karin) of Chicago IL; one brother, Walter M. Jackson (Lynn) of Chicago IL; four sisters-in-law, Gertrude P. Jackson of Phenix City, AL, Mary Evans of North Carolina, Sandra Morgan of Calumet City, IL and Jane Smith of South Holland, IL; grandchildren, Vontrez D. Smith (Bianca), Matthew T. Mack, Jr. (Latashia), Ajianna Mack, Emani and Elana Smith, Darren Haywood, Nicole Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Yolanda Johnson, Antwon Harding and Mario Lockhart; great grandchildren, Dallas, London, Laila and Justin; god children, Syretta, Diana, Joseph, David, Arick, Demondo and Joey; dear friends, Hattie Williams, Mary Smith and Eliza Price and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.