Funeral services for Patricia Nelson- Smith, 67, will at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Vaughan. Burial will be at Nelson- Dortch Cemetery, Vaughan. Rev. Robert W. Nelson, II will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, in Adele Walker Memorial Chapel at the funeral home.

Patricia Nelson Smith was born on September 29, 1953 in Yazoo County, Vaughan, MS. She was the 8th child of 11 children of Percy and Gladys Nelson. She confessed a belief in Christ at an early age at Plainville A.M.E. Church in Vaughan, MS.

Her early education began at Linwood Elementary. Her schooling continued and she graduated from Benton High School in 1971. She furthered her studies by receiving a B.S. in English from Alcorn State University in 1975 and later received certification hours in French from Jackson State University and Delta State University.

She moved to Atlanta, GA in 1976 and began her educational journey. She moved back to MS in 1980 and in 1982 she began teaching at Rolling Fork High School where she taught both French and English until 1994. After moving from Rolling Fork, she taught in the Greenwood, Yazoo and Holmes County School Districts. She dedicated her life to education and retired after 20 plus years in 2004.

Patricia, sometimes called Tricia, Bean and Aunt Patty by her grand-nieces and nephews, loved to read books and enjoyed watching educational programs. She was also very creative and many would say she was a gifted decorator and crafter. She loved horses and her dog "Bear."

Patricia will forever be remembered by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, oldest sister Mildred Allen and brother Otha "Pete" Nelson. Her memories will rest with her husband Steven Smith of Rolling Fork, MS and daughter Belinda Ann-Chelle Robinson of Greenwood, MS. She is survived by siblings: Otis (Laura) Nelson of Somerset, NJ; Rev. Robert (JoAnn) Nelson II of Florissant, MO; Barbara Jean (Y.T.) Gray of Saginaw, MI; David (Elizabeth) Nelson of Saginaw, MI; Helen (John) Pepper of Jackson, MS; Jacqueline (Preston) Ratliff of Greenwood, MS; Percy (Tabatha) Nelson, III of Leland, MS; and Hubert (Patricia) Nelson of Yazoo City, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Active Pallbearers: Jalen Nelson, Jarrad Ratliff, Preston Ratliff, III, Rodney Gray, Jacob Nelson & Fred Stuckey

Honorary Pallbearers: Y.T. Gray, Preston Ratliff, II, Pedro Barnes, Hubert Nelson, Percy Nelson, III & Judge Nelson, II