Deborah Sue Staggs Smith was born July 9, 1954 in Waynesboro, TN to the late Carl and Louise Duren Staggs. She was united in marriage to Buddy Smith on July 27, 2005. She found passion in her career as a correctional officer. When not at work, her true love was spending time with her family. She dearly loved her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Mrs. Smith departed this life on March 15, 2024 in Nashville, TN making her stay in this life some 69 years, 8 months, and 7 days.
Those left behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Buddy Smith of Waynesboro, TN; her children, Shannon Sherrill (Sandy) of Linden, TN; Kevin Sherrill (Ashley) of Savannah, TN; Eric Sherrill of Waynesboro, TN; one sister, Barbara Ann Wilkerson of Nashville, TN. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Kirsten Sherrill, Dylan Sherrill, Neyland Sherrill, Trustin Sherrill; and one great-grandchild, Evelynn Sherrill with one more great-grandchild on the way.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by five brothers, Billy Staggs, Carl “Ginker” Staggs, Raymond Staggs, Roy Staggs, Floyd Staggs; and five sisters, Nell Smelser, Shirley Frazier, Linda Wooten, Judy Peacock, and Brenda Farris.
Visitation with the Smith family was on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 12:00 PM until service time at 3:00 PM, all at Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation Chapel.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation Chapel with Jeff Smith officiating. Interment followed in the Highland Methodist Church Cemetery.
