Hilda Maurice Watson Smith passed away December 18, 2018, at home in Odessa, Florida. A graveside service will be held at 2:30pm Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Ellisville, MS.

Maurice, as she was known to her many friends, Aunt Maurice, to her nephews and nieces, and grandmama to not only her grandchildren and great grandchildren, but to their many friends in Mississippi and Georgia. She was mom to Pat (Bobby Shepperd deceased) Shepperd, of Odessa, Florida, and Dan Smith (Joy), of Coal Mountain, Georgia.

Maurice was born in Laurel, Mississippi, March 9,1924, to Leroy and Virgie Watson. She was preceded in death by brothers Clyde and Clarence Watson, and sisters Eloise Watson Joplin and Esther Watson Parker of Ellisville, Mississippi. The five siblings were well known for their lifelong devotion to Jesus Christ and service to others.

Maurice joins her husband, Herman Earl Smith, in the promise that when absent from the body that believers in Christ are with Christ for eternity.

Maurice was a member of Carrollwood Baptist Church.

Her grandchildren are; Jenna (Brett) Shepperd Pedersen of Odessa, Florida, Alan (Misti) Smith, Jason (Susan) Smith, Tyler (Lindsey) Smith, Riley (Jenna) Smith of Cumming, Georgia and Kirby (Megan) Smith of Clermont, Georgia. The great grandchildren are; Jonathan Pedersen of New Orleans, Louisiana, Morgan Pedersen of Odessa, Florida, Sydney Smith, Reagan Smith, Cole Smith, Sutton Smith, Sophie Smith, Raelyn Smith, and Gracie Smith of Cumming, Georgia.

Maurice, Mom, and Grandmama was always the life of any social gathering. She had a quick wit and filled those around her with laughter. She loved playing dominoes, cards, and board games. She also enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren participate in any sporting event.

She was the "Rock" of the family and responsible for the overachieving attitude of those close to her.