Sharon Smith Atwood

Sharon “Sherrie” Smith Atwood, of Lebanon, Tennessee passed away on December 12, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family.

Sherrie was born on September 12, 1944, to Jesse T. and Marie M. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. After graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1962, she went on to obtain a degree in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University in 1966. While at MTSU, she was crowned the very first Miss MTSU, and met the love of her life, George Atwood.

In 1966, George and Sherrie were married and moved to Memphis, Tennessee where George furthered his education at the University of Tennessee Medical units while Sherrie taught first grade at West Elementary School in Memphis.

In Memphis, they had their first child, Kevin Thomas. Then upon returning to Brentwood, Tennessee their daughter Kristen Denise was born and four years later, their third child Kayce Marie was born.

After raising her children, she returned to her passion of teaching as a resource educator at Lipscomb Elementary School where she worked for thirty years. She was always known for her outrageous collection of earrings and was fondly known as “The earring lady” by all the children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Marie Smith, and sister, Patricia “Patty” Hamm.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, George S. Atwood, son Kevin T. (Denise) Atwood, daughter Kristen D. Atwood, and daughter Kayce M. (Chris) Hendrix. Additionally, she is survived by ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and her beloved caregiver Jessica C. Thomas, whose Sherrie’s family is extremely grateful for the tender care she provided.

What a great celebration for Sherrie and her family to know that she is spending Christmas with our Lord and Savior.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Nashville or to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization in remembrance of Sherrie.