Shellie Pope Smith

Mrs. Shellie Pope Smith, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, was born January 11, 1947 to Emma Louise and Harry Cook in Memphis, Tennessee. Born a fighter and always courageous, Shellie gained her eternal wings on Friday, January 1, 2021 at the age of 73.

Shellie accepted Christ at a young age and attended Cane Creek Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. At the tender age of 15, Shellie was joined in holy matrimony to Jerry E. Smith. She lived in Memphis until her grandfather’s death, then she moved her grandmother to Michigan to join her mother Louise. She later joined Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Marvin A. Jennings, Sr. Shellie was always an extremely outgoing person with a huge personality, whom everyone loved to be around.

Shellie, affectionately called Shirley Jean or Jeannie, was a socialite who enjoyed partying, dancing, playing cards, bingo, fishing, barbequing, and traveling. In fact, Shellie was often the family designated driver, as she would drive anything that had wheels. Oftentimes, she would drive her grandmother to Tennessee every year so she could do repairs and maintain the property she had there. It would not be a surprise to see Shellie painting the house or fixing the roof. Whatever was needed, you could find her hands doing it.

Shellie was known to be a friend and protector to all and confidant to many. Being the shoulder to cry on quickly turned into being the partner in crime. Shellie was always a hard worker. She would catch the bus in Memphis to travel to Arkansas to pick cotton. She was later employed by Bay City Chevrolet and Bay Metro Transit as a bus driver. Any obstacle that came her way she tackled it with resilience. She played as hard as she worked and would spank any child in the neighborhood that she knew needed correcting. She was brutally honest and often greeted folks by saying “hey fatso”. She was loved and respected by everyone and was the oldest of fourteen children. We will miss her dearly.

Shellie leaves to cherish her memories, three daughters, Sharon (Vincent) Webb, Felicia (Jeffrey) Carney, and Novella (Corey) Lewis. Six grandchildren, Felicity (Tra’Vhon) Wright, Felice (Finis) Wilford, VonDrea Webb, Ira Jiles II, VonNisha Webb and Vionte’ Webb. Three fur grandbabies: Chance and Moto Lewis and TuPac Webb. Eleven Great-Grand Children: Alecsis, Ay’sia, Tra’Vhon Jr., Tra’Vell and Tru Wright; Destani Burton-Smith, Jaiveon, Jesse and Da’Naiya Wilford, Devonea and Ja’Mair Smith, one fur great-grand baby, Prince and a finned great-grand Regina that shares her birthday. She loved all of her children regardless to if they spoke, barked, or had to swim! Five sisters: Mae Burney, Mary Griffin, Terri (Lee) Martin, Evelyn (Sammie) Campbell, Pamela (Jessie) Askew, and one brother Ronnie Wilkins. Two aunts: Mary Jones and Olivia McKinley and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Willie “Carol” McClain was her best friend and loved dearly by her family. If you ask her grandchildren, they will all say they are the favorite. She would light up and was especially fond of her grandsons Ira and Vionte’ and her granddaughter VonNisha. Of course, everyone knows that Novella is the “favorite” daughter!

Shellie was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry E. Smith; two daughters, Beverly and Linda; one son, Carlos; parents, Harry Cook and Emma Louise Lucas; grandmother, Versia Scott; sister, Jacqueline Jackson; two brothers, John L. Lucas and Michael Wilkins; many other relatives and friends.

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