Rosa Jo Tallant Smith, of Chattanooga, died on Thursday, May 1, 2008.
She was born in Harriman, Tn., October 18, 1928. She was the wife of Jack C. Smith, they were married June 6, 1947. She graduated from Chattanooga Central in the class of 1946, where she was the Glee Club pianist. She remained an active member of the Continuing Planning Committee for Central High class of 1946.
She attended Shorter College, class of 1950. She had been a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church since 1947. While there, she served in many ministries, such as pianist for more that 40 years, director of the Sunday School Senior High Department for 35 years, director of Women’s Missionary Union, Director of Women on Mission and other missionary oriented work and helping fulfill the Vision of the Missionary House for missionaries on furlough.
She was teacher of the loyal Sunday school Class for may years.
Rosa Jo was a special Sunday school conference leader for the Southern Baptist Convention (now Lifeway), Tennessee Baptist Convention, Georgia Baptist Convention and Hamilton County Baptist Association.
She was involved in the nationwide “Metro Clinic” for SBC, leading Sunday School conferences in 15 of the largest cities in the USA. She was a substitute teacher in the public school system for many years. Rosa Jo’s cards, phone calls and other contacts will be solely missed by her family and other friends for the comfort and encouragement far and wide.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. J.B. Tallant and Laura Greene Tallant; and by her brothers, Irby and Rev. Harold Tallant.
She is survived by her husband, Jack C. Smith; two daughters, Pamela Jo Smith (Charles) Grant and Brenda Smith Hales; five grandchildren, David (Julie) Grant, Kelly Jo Grant (Chris) Neighbors, Brent (Ashley), Keith (Miquela),Jaclyn Hales; seven great-grandchildren, Andrew, Austin, Zachary and Lauren Grant and Kelsey Jo, Kayla Rose and Kora May Neighbors; brother, Rev. Francis (Charlene) Tallant; sister, Laura Thompson.
Rosa Jo was greatly loved by a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Ridgedale Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Owens and Dr. R. Raymond Lloyd officiating. Special music will be at 1:30 p.m.
Interment will be in Pine Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Sam Henry, Henry Jacks, David Grant, Brent Hales, Keith Hales and Chris Neighbors serving as pallbearers.
Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Saturday at Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.