Cochran – Nancy "Jo" Wilkerson Smith, age 85, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. in Bethany Baptist Church. Burial will be in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Nancy "Jo" was born on October 7, 1939 in Wilcox County. She was the daughter of the late John Henry and Flora Dozier Wilkerson and was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Denise Smith and her siblings, Clarence, Pete, Red, Dude, Leonard, Gene, Clayton, Elbert, John Thomas and Lula Estelle. She was a graduate of Wilcox County High School, Class of 1957, where she played on the basketball team. Mrs. Nancy "Jo" was retired from Civil Service and had worked at Hunter Army Airfield, Parris Island, Charleston Naval Base and Warner Robins Air Force Base. She and Mr. Billy had lived in Savannah for over 25 years before retiring to Cochran.  She was a homemaker and loved bowling and shopping. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and attended Bethany Baptist Church.

Survivors are her husband, Billy R. Smith, Sr. of Cochran, her children, Linda Smith (Dennis) Kijowski of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, Bill (Sheryl) Smith, Jr. of Kildare, Gary W. (Janice) Smith, Sr. of Mesa AZ, Regena Smith McClure of Cochran, Cindy (David) Mangrum of Fayetteville, NC and Jonathan (Holly) Smith of Kildare; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; her best friend, Patricia (Steve) Daniels of Cochran and her lifelong friends, Jane, Doodle, Carolyn, Ann, Sarah and Frankie Jean.

The family would like to thank Mrs. Nancy Jo's caretakers, Mrs. Jane, Mrs. Lisa and Mrs. Carol and the entire staff of Amedisys Hospice for their help and support during this difficult time.

Flowers are accepted, but donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3040 Riverside Drive, Macon, GA 31210 or www.alz.org.

The family is at 696 GA Hwy 112 and will greet friends on Monday from 2:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. at Bethany Baptist Church.