Gwen Evelyn Strickland Smith, 84, of Magnolia, MS passed away November 30, 2024 at her residence.

Mrs. Smith was born October 7, 1940 in Magnolia, MS to the late Arthur M. Strickland and Edith Aline Lang Strickland.

She was a 1958 graduate of Magnolia High School and also graduated from Mississippi College in 1962 with a degree in Education. Mrs. Smith worked for Public Schools of Mississippi for 36 ½ years, having taught for South Pike, Jackson, Tupelo and Natchez school districts. She was a MacDowell Music Club past president, Order of the Eastern Star past matron, and a longtime faithful member of Bluff Springs
Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur M. and Edith Aline Lang Strickland; and her son Michael Strickland Smith.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband of 62 years Johnny Lee Smith of Magnolia; her son Jeffrey Ellis Smith and his wife Misty of Tylertown, MS and her granddaughter Delaney Peyton Smith.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke Home Health and Hospice for their compassion and care during this time.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening at Bluff Springs Baptist Church in Magnolia, MS from 5 until 8 PM and continues Wednesday from 10:00 AM until services there at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Bluff Springs Cemetery. Dr. Woody Rimes will officiate under the direction of Hartman Jones Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Chad McElveen, David Eggan, Rod Crawford, Lee Fortenberry, Sammy Lang, Ivy Rimes. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Knippers, Josh Rimes, Ronnie Prescott, Phillip Moore, Joey Allen, and Colby Fortenberry.