Anne Anthony Smith of Collierville, TN, passed away on March 20, 2024. She was born September 3, 1948, to Robert Z. T. Anthony and Shirley Steele Anthony. Growing up in Memphis, TN, she graduated from Central High School, with honors from Emory University and earned her master’s degree from Memphis State University. Her career as an English teacher spanned over 30 years, first in high schools and later at UT Chattanooga and Northwest MS Community College. In 1971 Anne married Austin Smith and they were together 49 years.
Austin’s career moves took them to Louisville, KY; Chattanooga, TN; Columbus, GA; and back to the Memphis area, settling in Collierville.
Anne enjoyed gardening and watching the birds and squirrels in her yard. She also loved going to Jackson, MS, to spend time with her daughter Laura and her family, and traveling to Miami and San Francisco for visits with Jennie. She was grateful for her son, David, who remained in Collierville and was her companion and helper after Austin’s passing in 2021 and during her recent illness. Anne was active in the Collierville community and served as secretary and president of the Twentieth Century Club, helping with the Fair on the Square for 25 years. She was secretary for the Philanthropic Education Organization and served on her Crosswind neighborhood board for 15 years. She was always an avid reader and weekly helped with the Friends of the Collierville Library.
Anne was predeceased by her parents, her brother Wardlaw Steele Anthony, and her husband Austin Embry Smith. She leaves a sister Elizabeth (Denny) Shiverdecker, daughter Laura (Patrick) Taylor, granddaughters May and Annabeth Taylor, daughter Jennifer Smith-Camejo, and son David A. Smith.
