Emma Dean Smith, formerly Emla Dean Smith but later exchanged the consonant L for M due to her love of Wheel of Fortune or maybe the ease of the modern English speaker and their underdeveloped ability to pronounce two different consonants so closely together, was born on April 24, 1940 in Conway County, Arkansas. She was the third child of nine born to Johnny and Lois Nicholson.  Her family and friends referred to her as Dean but her two sons called her mom. Dean graduated from Wonderview High School in the class of 1958. Her youth was not an easy time, she often recalled stories of raising farm animals and working in the fields, missing part of the school year, and other sacrifices so that her family could make ends meet. After high school she worked in several jobs in and around Morrilton, Arkansas. It was there that she met her soulmate and they would soon commence their 53-year journey together. As an adult she enjoyed gardening, cooking, church, and singing gospel hymns with her three sisters and five brothers during family gatherings. She married Ronald Douglas Smith on December 24, 1966 and soon moved from Arkansas to Florida as Ron embarked on a military career. Dean lived in various places in the US from Florida to New York and many places in between while pursuing a career as a mother, homemaker, and in childcare. She loved kids and they loved her. Her legacy is found in her boys, grandchildren and the many children entrusted to her care over the years. One tour of duty did take her to Italy where she sampled Italian lifestyle and cuisine on the island of Sicily. While there she explored western Europe before moving back to Tennessee in 1995 where she and Ron finally settled in Millington.

Dean was a warm and quiet personality but loved a silly exchange of wit that often ended with her prescription "Laughter is the best medicine!" We will miss your contagious smile and laugh mom, but we know that you will be sharing it with your family who was patiently waiting in heaven.

Dean is survived by her husband Ron, her two sons Andy and Matt, seven grandchildren Katie, Courtney, Gia, Bethany, Kara, Kim and Preston, great-grandson Leo, and her remaining four brothers Larry, Wendell, Dwight, and Andy and two sisters Maxine and Ruby.