Janetta Doris Haynes Smith

Janetta Doris Haynes Smith May 2, 1949 - October 20, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Janetta Doris Haynes Smith, who left us peacefully on Monday October 20, 2025, at the age of 76 after battling a rare leukemia, called T-PLL which began in February of this year. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in her final moment before meeting her Lord and Savior.

Born in Henderson, TN Janetta was the cherished daughter of Freddie Ross Haynes and Lucille Irene Wheatley Haynes. She grew up in Beech Bluff where she developed her love for cooking, gardening, tending flowers, reading and her passion for taking care of others, which led her to attend Union University where she graduated with her Registered Nursing degree. Janetta was a nurse in Madison County and surrounding areas working for JMCGH and DCI for 45 years. She was also a lincesed massage therapist. Janetta was a member of First Baptist Church in Bemis, for the last 50 years. She was very proud to be a Christian and an American.

Janetta was a devoted wife,mother, grandmother, (known to the grandchildren as MaNee) sister, aunt, cousin, niece and friend. She married Paul Herron Smith, known to most as “Blue” September 20, 1974, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and hard work; building two beautiful homes together in Jackson and their beloved riverhouse in Bath Springs. She was the proud mother of Tana Lea Smith Fleming (Barry Fleming), Jason Paul Smith (Suzy Mullins) and Tiffany Lynn Smith McSwain (Houston McSwain) - all currently residing in Jackson, TN.

Throughout her life, Janetta was known for her generosity, sense of humor, resilience, ability to talk to anyone about anything, being the BEST cook in all the land (except for her mystery concoctions per Daddy), for her unique Christmas wrapping of presents and her keen ability to style clothing and decorate her home. She touched the lives of everyone she met with her warm smile, her advice and thoughtfulness, putting her patients first, always picking up something along her way to give to someone else and she never failed to lend a helping hand.

She is survived by her husband, children and their spouses, grand-children Lauren Fleming Paulos (Trevor), Emma Smith, Aaron Smith, Carter Smith, and Haynes McSwain; great grandchildren Landon and Austin and last but not least her faithful fur-baby Buddy. Aunts, Betty Haynes and Betty Wheatley, who both reside in California. She was the loving aunt to Freddy (Sandra) and David (Cyd) Teague of Jackson, TN, Kim Johnson Grubbs (Michael)- Ft Worth, Texas and Lora Johnson Clark - Lawrenceburg, TN and great nieces and nephews, and many treasured cousins and some very precious friends who are like family which are too many to name, but they know who they are without any doubt.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Lynda Haynes Johnson; her parents, Freddie and Lucille; her aunt, Geraldine Grissom and uncles, Bill Haynes and Harold Wheatley.

• Special thanks to her nieces Kim and Lora, who were like daughters to her, for being with her during the last week while we were home on Hospice. Also, to everyone who helped transport her to her treatments and who stayed with her during her hospital stay at Vanderbilt. Thank you to all those who came and visited her during her living celebration of life, she cherished each of your friendships.

A celebration of Janetta’s life will be held on Sunday November 2, 2025, from 2-5 in the afternoon at First Baptist Church in Bemis. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to First Baptist Bemis’ Children and Youth Ministry, a cause close to her heart. These donations can be directed to the church at 116 Bemis Lane Jackson, TN 38301 or given to her daughter, Tiffany.

Her love, strength, and unwavering gift of being a GIVER will remain in our hearts forever.