Helen Smith

Born in Greenwood, SC on November 29, 1924

Departed on April 21, 2015 and resided in Ashland City, Tennessee

Helen Louise Johnson Ketteman Smith passed peacefully into heaven on April 21, 2015. She was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, on November 29, 1924, to her parents, George Luther Johnson and Alma Parkman Johnson. The oldest of five children, she was a graduate of Lander College and Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University), both in South Carolina. She is survived by sister, Jean Glaze (and husband Dr. A. J. Glaze, Clinton, MS); sister, Joyce Nickles (and husband Phil Nickles, Greenwood, SC); brother, George Johnson Jr. (and wife Linda, Greenwood, SC); brother, Frank Johnson (and wife, Anne Wynn, Charleston, SC); and sister-in-law, Jane Jackson (and husband Rev. Bobby Jackson, Greenville, NC).
Helen married Rev. Paul Jackson Ketteman on September 29, 1948, and joined him in pastorates in Durham, North Carolina; Pamplico, South Carolina; and Columbus, Mississippi. She and Paul and their family moved to Nashville in 1962 when he began work as the Director of Public Relations at Free Will Baptist Bible College (now Welch College).
Helen taught business classes as the college for over twenty years, also serving as secretary to the president and data processing clerk during her work at the college. She was an expert in shorthand, transcribing phone messages, letters, and chapel sermons and teaching a generation of students to do so as well. She is often remembered for the Pastors' Wives class that she led on campus, helping women to prepare for a life in the parsonage. She was an excellent typist and dependable church pianist as well, known for her gentle spirit and kind hospitality. She was a member and loyal supporter of Horton Heights Free Will Baptist Church (where she was often elected as "Mother of the Year"), then East Nashville FWB Church, and most recently, Cross Timbers FWB Church.
She and Paul Ketteman had three children, Dr. Greg Ketteman (and his wife Jill, of Welch College in Nashville), Carol Reid (and her husband Dr. Garnett Reid, of the Donelson Fellowship in Nashville), and Joy Corn (and her husband Rev. Randy Corn, of Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church in Ashland City). They have six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Jack and Ashley Ketteman, Jane and Callie (Bristol, VA); Emilee and Graham Hart, and Corinne (Nashville); Hugh and Crystal Reid, Allison, Katherine, and Wilson (Whites Creek); Seth and Eleni Reid (Waco, TX); Benjamin and Rhonda Corn, and Melody (Clarksville); and Paul Corn (Nashville).
Paul Ketteman died in 1987, and Helen remarried a widower, Rev. Rolla D. Smith, retired director of FWB International Missions, in August, 1989. Rolla passed away in March, 2013. He is survived by one daughter, Beth Whaley (and her husband, Dr. Vernon Whaley of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA) and two grandchildren, Laurie and Jeremy Roe with their children, Carter, Daisy, and Eliza (Lynchburg, VA); and Jeremy and Kenya Whaley and their children, Luca and Noah (Nashville, TN).
Even into her nineties, Helen Smith was a gracious and kind lady, always showing Jesus in both word and deed to those who came in contact with her. Her quick smile and positive outlook have been an encouragement to a host of friends, students, church members, and family. She was indeed a family treasure!
Officiants include Rev. Craig Batts, Dr. Paul Harrison, Dr. Greg Ketteman, Rev. Randy Corn, Dr. Garnett Reid. Grandsons will serve as pall bearers. Honorary pall bearers are John Carter, Harrold Harrison, and the senior adult Sunday School class at Cross Timbers FWB Church.
The family wishes to thank those who assisted in her care at Belmont Village Assisted Living, Christian Care Center of Cheatham County, and Esera Care Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Paul Ketteman Scholarship Fund at Welch College, 3606 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37205.