Mother Cora Bell Johnson Smith was born in Itawamba County unto the late Troy Sr. and Malanda Whiteside Johnson on May 18, 1923. She departed this life at North Mississippi Medical Center on April 2, 2021. She was 97.
She attended school in Itawamba, MS. She joined the membership of Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Dorsey, MS at an early age. Later, she joined Red Oak Grove Church of the Living God where she remained a faithful member until death. She served on the Mother's Board, was an usher and assisted in the cafeteria.

Cora was a former employee of Lamb's Nursing Home and Spearman's Chicken Farm. She worked until her health failed her. She enjoyed fishing, cooking, gardening and playing with her grands, nieces and nephews.

She leaves to cherish her memory a son Elder George Smith of Tupelo, MS; daughters: Ruthie Wade, April Gates (granddaughter she raised and spoiled) and Elder Lekata Word (Billy) of Plantersville, MS; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson, a dear friend Lurlie Ford and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lucian Smith, a daughter Betty Blaylock; two grandchildren Kimberly Smith and Timothy Blaylock; three brothers Rev. William Johnson, Troy Lee Johnson, L.C. Johnson; and six sisters Ruby Dabbs, Minnie Lee Cowley, Lauthia Ree Morgan, Cliffie Middlebrooks, Florine Johnson and Betty Ann Morris.