Molly McCracken Smith

MOLLY MCCRACKEN SMITH passed away on November 6, 2023, at age 92 surrounded by her family.

She was born July 26, 1931, in Los Angeles County, Calif., to Dr. Jacob and Evelyn McCracken. Molly spent her childhood on Palos Verdes Peninsula, riding horses through the beautiful hills and trails with her sisters. She graduated from University High School in Los Angeles and then matriculated at Arizona State University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi fraternity.

While working as a bank teller in Phoenix, Molly met her future husband, Edgar Dye “Smitty” Smith, a Mississippi native stationed nearby for Air Force flight training. The two married on March 14, 1953. During their marriage, Smitty’s career took them and their family of three boys from coast to coast, as well as to Germany and Hawaii. In all, the Smiths called more than two dozen places home, and through the years, Molly had a special gift for staying in touch with many of their friends and former neighbors. 

Molly and Smitty retired in 1979 to Estill Springs, Tenn., where many happy hours were spent with friends and family on Tims Ford Lake. The couple joined the Heritage community in Brentwood in 2007.

She is survived by her loving husband, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Edgar Dye Smith; beloved children, Randal H. Smith and wife Sandra, Gregory D. Smith and wife Jan Read, and Gary T. Smith and wife, Rebecca; fond sisters, Sally Durfey and Sandra M. Jacobsen; and many nieces and nephews.Molly loved her eight very special grandchildren: Stuart (Jiyoung Ryu), Thyra (Tom Rowley), Lee, Jason (Karen), Sam, Keanan (Jessica Indyk), Bradley (Katlin) and Shannon, as well as her six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville. Williamson Memorial in Franklin, Tenn., is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.