(601) 833-6680

  • 1


Mary Michelle Furr Smith

 

Mary Michelle Furr Smith, 48, peacefully passed away at her home on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Born in McComb, MS, on July 4, 1976, to Charles Earl Furr and Jean Quinn Furr, Michelle was a proud Brookhaven Academy graduate, Class of 1994. Known affectionately as "Firecracker," a nickname that reflected her bicentennial birthday and her fiery, never-give-up spirit, Michelle brought joy and energy wherever she went.

Michelle’s greatest joy came from being a devoted wife and mother. She relished every moment spent raising her two young sons and took immense pride in her role at home. Her affection for her pets: Miss Kitty and Miss Dixie, the cats, Lani the dog, and her pig, Sir Oinks A Lot, was a testament to her warm and loving nature. When she wasn’t tending to their animals, Michelle could often be found in her garden or behind the lens of her camera, capturing the nature and beauty of their land.

Michelle's bravery extended beyond her family and friends. She became a beacon of hope and inspiration at the University of Mississippi Medical Cancer Center. Her participation in research trials for brain cancer was marked by an extraordinary spirit that even inspired her oncologist to remain in the field rather than switch careers. Michelle's courage and determination were truly inspiring, and her humor and zest for life were contagious.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Earl Furr, and her father-in-law, Philip Eugene Smith Sr., as well as other cherished family members who will be celebrating her spirit from afar.

Michelle leaves behind her loving husband of 29 years, Philip Eugene Smith Jr.; her sons, Cason Lee Smith and Charles “Charlie” Elliott Smith; her mother, Jean Quinn Furr; her brother, Charles Brian Furr; her mother-in-law, Phyllis Smith Hobbs; her sister-in-law, Jennifer Smith Heffner; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her circle of friends was vast and filled with significant individuals fortunate to have shared in her life.

The family also extends heartfelt thanks to the Dignity Hospice team, especially nurses Amy Wiley, Kristi Wilson, Sherri Brooks, and Nova York, for their compassionate care.

Michelle’s vibrant and enduring spirit will continue to inspire and bring joy to those who knew her, and she will be dearly missed.

Funeral service is 1 p.m., Monday, August 12 at Riverwood Family with burial in Union Hall Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Media

9 comments

  • Comment Link Chastity Cooper Monday, 12 August 2024 21:53 posted by Chastity Cooper

    Phillip praying for you and the boys! You know she loved y’all with every bit of her heart! My dear friend is not suffering any more she is in the arms of our God! Is not Good Bye my friend , but I will see you later ! Love you Chelle!!

    Report
  • Comment Link Tootlum Hux Monday, 12 August 2024 07:55 posted by Tootlum Hux

    So sorry to hear this. May GOD comfort all the family. I know Michele is with our Heavenly Father

    Report
  • Comment Link PEACHIE Williams Saturday, 10 August 2024 11:10 posted by PEACHIE Williams

    RIP Shelly. Beautiful tribute ?????

    Report
  • Comment Link Misty Troulliet Saturday, 10 August 2024 03:19 posted by Misty Troulliet

    Sorry to hear this ?. She was a beautiful loving and caring mother wife and friend she will be missed by many. Her and mom will be talking about everything and watching over everyone til we see them again. Love you all Misty Troulliet

    Report
  • Comment Link Charlotte Smith Friday, 09 August 2024 22:18 posted by Charlotte Smith

    Michelle will be missed tremendously, she was a loving and caring soul. She lived for her family and helped others when she could. I am so proud to have known her and love her. Terry and I send love and healing prayers to the family.

    Report
  • Comment Link Jody Ward ,,ie Velma Furr Ward Friday, 09 August 2024 20:49 posted by Jody Ward ,,ie Velma Furr Ward

    Michelle (Shelly) certainly fulfilled the saying, “live life to the fullest”. Her courageous spirit of never giving up radiated in every day of this battle she has been on. She has been such an inspiration to so many. Her quest for life was overwhelming. She willingly tried every medical procedure available if there was a chance it would extend her life. That worked for close to 3 years but seemingly God had other plans for her Wednesday night, She was much loved and will be “much” missed!

    Report
  • Comment Link Jessica Fayard James Friday, 09 August 2024 17:46 posted by Jessica Fayard James

    You will be truly missed my dear friend. I will always cherish our memories together. My prayers and love go to Phillip and your boys and family during this difficult time. May you rest in eternal peace. Until we meet again. I love you Michelle.

    Report
  • Comment Link Jaclyn Walters Friday, 09 August 2024 17:44 posted by Jaclyn Walters

    She will be dearly missed. Beautifully written for a beautiful soul. ❤️

    Report
  • Comment Link Gary Jackson Friday, 09 August 2024 17:30 posted by Gary Jackson

    RIP Michelle, you fought a amazing battle, but in the end you lost here on Earth but won the glory of Heaven with no more tears or sadness,a completely new body without any pain. Love you and will miss your giving me orders to make sure I wasn’t overdoing anything.
    Love forever neighbor Gary and Bernice Jackson

    Report

Leave a comment

Obituaries

  • Rita Joyce Neal Wallace

    Rita Joyce Neal Wallace

    The Graveside Service for Rita Joyce Neal Wallace will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., at Pleasant Grove

    Read More
  • Robbin Dianne Herrington

    Robbin Dianne Herrington

    Robbin Dianne Herrington, 62, of Brookhaven, died November 2, 2024, River Oaks in Flowood, MS. She was born in Monticello,

    Read More
  • James Castilaw

    James Castilaw

    The funeral service for James Castilaw will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Victory Baptist Church with burial

    Read More
  • Artie Lee Lea

    Artie Lee Lea

    The funeral service for Artie Lee Lea, will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial

    Read More
  • Shirley Faye Brent

    Shirley Faye Brent

    The funeral service for Shirley Faye Brent will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, at Riverwood Family with burial in

    Read More
  • Sylvia Ann Redd Morgan

    Sylvia Ann Redd Morgan

    The Funeral Service for Sylvia Ann Redd Morgan will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Riverwood Family, with

    Read More
  • Shirley Faye Stewart King

    Shirley Faye Stewart King

    The funeral service for Shirley Faye Stewart King will be 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 1, at Riverwood Family, with burial

    Read More
  • Opal Wroten Bowlin

    Opal Wroten Bowlin

    The funeral service for Opal Annette Wroten Bowlin will be 11 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at New Salem Baptist

    Read More
  • John F. Monahan

    John F. Monahan

    Mr. John F. Monahan, 83, passed away October 23, 2024, at his home in Brookhaven. He was born on February

    Read More
  • Clyde Ervin Moak

    Clyde Ervin Moak

    The Funeral service for Clyde Ervin Moak will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial

    Read More
  • Lola Lee McGrew

    Lola Lee McGrew

    Graveside service for Lola Lee McGrew will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 26, in Riverwood Memorial Park. Mrs. McGrew, 72,

    Read More
  • Bonnie Lou Varnado

    Bonnie Lou Varnado

    The funeral service for Bonnie Lou Varnado will be 10 a.m., Friday, October 25, at Riverwood Family, with burial in

    Read More
  • Troy Lee Wayne Moak

    Troy Lee Wayne Moak

    The funeral service for Troy Lee Wayne Moak will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 24, at Riverwood Family, with burial

    Read More
  • Lennox James Brady

    Lennox James Brady

    Lennox James Brady was born October 14, 2024, to Chandler Dylan Brady and Cortney Renee Williams Brady. He passed away

    Read More
  • Columbus Campbell Goza

    Columbus Campbell Goza

    The funeral service for Columbus Campbell Goza will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 22, at Riverwood Family with burial in

    Read More
  • Johnnie

    Johnnie "Jere" Russell

    RUSSELL, JOHNNIE “Jere” GERALEENE, age 92, a Richmond, VA resident for 47 years, passed away peacefully on Oct 4, 2024,

    Read More
  • Cynthia Diane Hawley

    Cynthia Diane Hawley

    Cynthia Diane Hawley, 66, of Smithdale, MS, died October 16, 2024, at Southwest MS Regional Medical Center. She was born

    Read More
  • Ba Van Le

    Ba Van Le

    The funeral service for Ba Van Le will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at St. Mary’s Basilica. Visitation

    Read More
  • Jerry Daniel Fauver

    Jerry Daniel Fauver

    Mr. Jerry Daniel Fauver, 73, of Brookhaven, died October 11, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven on

    Read More
  • Nicholas Cole Lofton

    Nicholas Cole Lofton

    Funeral service for Nicholas Cole Lofton will be 2 p.m., Friday, October 18, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from Noon

    Read More
  • 1

Obituaries

  • Rita Joyce Neal Wallace

    Rita Joyce Neal Wallace

    The Graveside Service for Rita Joyce Neal Wallace will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., at Pleasant Grove

    Read More
  • Robbin Dianne Herrington

    Robbin Dianne Herrington

    Robbin Dianne Herrington, 62, of Brookhaven, died November 2, 2024, River Oaks in Flowood, MS. She was born in Monticello,

    Read More
  • James Castilaw

    James Castilaw

    The funeral service for James Castilaw will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Victory Baptist Church with burial

    Read More
  • Artie Lee Lea

    Artie Lee Lea

    The funeral service for Artie Lee Lea, will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial

    Read More
  • Shirley Faye Brent

    Shirley Faye Brent

    The funeral service for Shirley Faye Brent will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, at Riverwood Family with burial in

    Read More
  • Sylvia Ann Redd Morgan

    Sylvia Ann Redd Morgan

    The Funeral Service for Sylvia Ann Redd Morgan will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Riverwood Family, with

    Read More
  • Shirley Faye Stewart King

    Shirley Faye Stewart King

    The funeral service for Shirley Faye Stewart King will be 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 1, at Riverwood Family, with burial

    Read More
  • Opal Wroten Bowlin

    Opal Wroten Bowlin

    The funeral service for Opal Annette Wroten Bowlin will be 11 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at New Salem Baptist

    Read More
  • John F. Monahan

    John F. Monahan

    Mr. John F. Monahan, 83, passed away October 23, 2024, at his home in Brookhaven. He was born on February

    Read More
  • Clyde Ervin Moak

    Clyde Ervin Moak

    The Funeral service for Clyde Ervin Moak will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial

    Read More
  • Lola Lee McGrew

    Lola Lee McGrew

    Graveside service for Lola Lee McGrew will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 26, in Riverwood Memorial Park. Mrs. McGrew, 72,

    Read More
  • Bonnie Lou Varnado

    Bonnie Lou Varnado

    The funeral service for Bonnie Lou Varnado will be 10 a.m., Friday, October 25, at Riverwood Family, with burial in

    Read More
  • Troy Lee Wayne Moak

    Troy Lee Wayne Moak

    The funeral service for Troy Lee Wayne Moak will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 24, at Riverwood Family, with burial

    Read More
  • Lennox James Brady

    Lennox James Brady

    Lennox James Brady was born October 14, 2024, to Chandler Dylan Brady and Cortney Renee Williams Brady. He passed away

    Read More
  • Columbus Campbell Goza

    Columbus Campbell Goza

    The funeral service for Columbus Campbell Goza will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 22, at Riverwood Family with burial in

    Read More
  • Johnnie

    Johnnie "Jere" Russell

    RUSSELL, JOHNNIE “Jere” GERALEENE, age 92, a Richmond, VA resident for 47 years, passed away peacefully on Oct 4, 2024,

    Read More
  • Cynthia Diane Hawley

    Cynthia Diane Hawley

    Cynthia Diane Hawley, 66, of Smithdale, MS, died October 16, 2024, at Southwest MS Regional Medical Center. She was born

    Read More
  • Ba Van Le

    Ba Van Le

    The funeral service for Ba Van Le will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at St. Mary’s Basilica. Visitation

    Read More
  • Jerry Daniel Fauver

    Jerry Daniel Fauver

    Mr. Jerry Daniel Fauver, 73, of Brookhaven, died October 11, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven on

    Read More
  • Nicholas Cole Lofton

    Nicholas Cole Lofton

    Funeral service for Nicholas Cole Lofton will be 2 p.m., Friday, October 18, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from Noon

    Read More
  • 1

Local Florists

Bertha's Flower Shop
103 West Chickasaw Street
Brookhaven, MS 39601
(601) 833-2561 
Elaina Anders Flowers
515 Brookway Blvd
Brookhaven, MS 39601
(601) 265-2272 
Hetty Bug's Flowers
731 Chestnut Ln SE
Bogue Chitto, MS 39629
(601) 757-1716 
 Roots & Ribbons
100 West Court Street
Brookhaven, MS 39601
(601) 835-2708