Ethel Delores Crocker Smith

Ethel Delores Crocker Smith was born in Lumberton, MS, on May 15, 1946, to the union of Woods Crocker and Blanche Watts Crocker. She went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the age 77. 

Ethel worked in the field of nursing for many years. She received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Indiana University; a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University; a Master’s Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi; and her Doctorate in Psych Mental Health Nursing from LSU Medical Center, New Orleans, LA. 

Ethel was a 1964 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana. Ethel's career in nursing began at St. Mary Medical Center in Gary, Indiana, in 1977. After moving to the Gulf Coast in 1988, she began working for the Veterans Administration where she retired in 2008. She then became an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park Campus. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Wisdom Chapter #60, Gary, Indiana, and a member of the Daughters of Isis.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Woods and Blanche Crocker; three brothers, Milton, Woods and James Crocker; and a sister, Elizabeth Harrison.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband and best friend, James Smith; two sons, Darren Smith of Gulfport, MS and Keenan Smith of Omaha, NE; two stepsons, James Smith of Gulfport, MS, and Joseph Smith (Linda) of Bradenton, FL.; two step-daughters, Deborah (James) Clark of Copperas Cove, TX and Tonya (Eddie) Graves of LaGrange, GA; sister, Jean (Eddie) Grice, of Gary, Indiana; grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Ethel was very active in her church, St. Matthew Lutheran in Gulfport, the Biloxi Edgewater Civitan Club; PEO, Chapter E Organization of Mississippi; and a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honors Society.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport. Friends may visit one hour prior. Graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ethel Delores Crocker Smith.