Funeral services for Faye Jackson Smith, 78, will be conducted at noon Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home of Milledgeville with the Rev. David Perry officiating. Interment will follow in Black Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the service hour.

Faye was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1946 and then grew up in Bogart, Georgia where she graduated from Oconee High school. She later married and moved to Milledgeville in her mid-20s. She graduated from Truett McConnell University, University of Georgia and Georgia College.

Faye taught first grade in Baldwin County for 30 years. Throughout her career as a teacher she was an active member of the Baldwin Association of Educators. She also served as president of the Georgia Association of Educators for a two year term. After her career as an educator, Faye was elected as the first female state Senator for the 25th District and served three terms. She also served as a Baldwin County commissioner. Faye also worked at Overview of Milledgeville and was a special education teacher at the Craig Building at Central State Hospital. Finally, she was a substitute teacher at Blandy Hills Elementary and the Early Learning Center in the Baldwin County School System. She was a long time member of Black Springs Baptist Church.

Faye was predeceased by her parents, Chester and Ina Jackson; her brother, O'Neal Jackson; and her sister, Betty Jackson.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Tommy Smith; daughters, Yvonne Thompson (Randy) and Dana Butts; stepsons, Tom Smith (Kem) and Tim Smith (Chrissy); grandchildren, Makayla, Tripp, Tyler, Logan, Thomas, Kylie (Josh), Kara (John), and Allison (Julian); and great grandchild, Alyssa.

A special thank you to the staff of Georgia Hospice Care.

Express online condolences at www.williamsfuneral.net .

Williams Funeral Home of Milledgeville is in charge of arrangements.