Ardella L. Smith's Obituary
Ardella L. "Big Mama" Smith, 79, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, in a local healthcare facility. She attended Chattanooga Public Schools and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Following her graduation, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she began a life-long professional journey devoted to serving others.
She worked for over 20 years as an independent provider with Babies Can’t Wait and also served as a Head Start consultant, advocating for children with special needs. Her career reflected her heart—one rooted in compassion, service, and an unwavering commitment to helping those who needed it most.
Ardella’s personality was truly bigger than life, marked by her infectious laugh and warm spirit. She was loving, kind, and deeply caring—a friend to all she met. Though she did not have children of her own, she was affectionately known as “Big Mama,” a title she earned by becoming a mother figure to countless family members, godchildren, foster children, and friends. She opened her home and her heart freely, serving as a Godmother, Foster Mother, and a “Reality Check” mother, always offering common-sense wisdom delivered with a witty touch.
From early childhood through adulthood, Ardella was a faithful member of Olivet Baptist Church, where her spiritual foundation guided her life and service.
Ardella was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn Sprayberry-Hendrix and Tommy Smith; her grandmother, Nannie Sprayberry-Hines; her sisters, Lutena Lewis and Murlean Smith; her brother, Tommy Smith; her uncle, Orlando Hines; and her nieces, Karnisha Hamilton, Cassandra Glover, and Angela Hill.
She leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and special friends—too numerous to name, but each deeply touched by her love and legacy.
Her life was a testament to love, service, and selfless devotion to others, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she helped shape.
Ardella will lie in state on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel with Pastor Ron B. Cook, Sr. as the Eulogist. Burial in Forest Hills Cemetery.
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