Linda Smith West

Linda Smith West

December 22, 1945 – April 15, 2025 Nashville, Tennessee

Loving mother, and proud grandmother, Linda Smith West passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025, at the age of 79. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, she spent her life rooted in faith, family, and the beauty of the natural world around her.

Linda was the daughter of Wendell Smith and Jessylea Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Beverly Smith Cook.

She is survived by her children, Rob West (Ashley), Mikie West, and Nancy West Kennedy (Wes); and by her cherished grandchildren, Emma Clair West, Katie Beth West, Hayes Kennedy, Charli West, Jack Kennedy, Sawyer West, and Fletcher Kennedy who knew her lovingly as “Nana”, “Lala”, and “Yaya”. She is also survived by her former husband, Robert “Bobby” West, brother Wendell “Inky” Smith, and many extended family members and lifelong friends.

A proud graduate of St. Bernard High School, Linda remained close to her classmates and loved their time together. She went on to attend the University of Memphis and later earned her Master’s in Education from Belmont University.

Linda wore many titles in her life wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend and embraced each one with wholehearted love and devotion. Her Christian faith was central to who she was. Linda spent time in both the Baptist and Episcopalian churches.

Linda worked as a florist at Bellevue Flowers and later taught Art at St. Paul Christian Academy. She had a deep passion for beauty, creativity, and nurturing others.

Linda also found joy in the world around her. She loved gardening, bird watching, animals, flowers, fishing, painting, being outdoors, and the Tennessee Vols. She adored mountain streams, beach trips, road trips, antiquing, and a good meal with loved ones especially on fried chicken day at Wendell Smith’s Restaurant. Her greatest joys, though, were the moments spent with her family.

A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at the Harpeth Hills Funeral Home Pavilion on Wednesday, April 23rd. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., with the service to follow at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Friends of Warner Park or the Wounded Warrior Project in Linda’s honor.