Elizabeth “Ann” Smith
A native of Graham County, she was the first child born to the late John Melvin Wiggins and Gladys Anderson Wiggins. She grew up on Hares Creek and enjoyed working on 4-H projects, for which she won several awards. Ann was a lifelong member of Sweetgum Baptist Church.
Ann was the valedictorian of the Robbinsville High School Class of 1959. She attended Western Carolina University on scholarship and earned a degree in education and home economics.
She married the late James Lee “Jimmy” Smith in 1968 after teaching school for several years in Stecoah.
They moved to metro Atlanta, where Ann began a career with the Southern Bell Telephone Company (later AT&T/Bell South).
In 2001, they retired and returned to Graham County to live on Franks Creek in a house that Ann designed. In 2019, they moved back to Georgia to live with their son and his family.
Ann is survived by her son, James Melvin Smith (Jessica); her grandchildren, David, Nicholas, and Charlotte; her brother, Marvin Wiggins (the late Jerline); her sister, Linda McClung (Marshall); and numerous beloved brothers/sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Ann was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Most importantly, she was a devoted follower of Christ who reflected His love to all those she met. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.