Teresa West Smith, the Walters State Community College professor who mounted a campaign requesting a living donor kidney transplant, has died.

Smith, a loving wife, mom, Mimi, sister, aunt and friend passed away Tuesday morning at age 53, according to an obituary from Allen Funeral Home.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the passing of our friend and coworker Teresa Smith,” Walters State said in a release. “Teresa was an associate professor of English and served the college for 29 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”

The post also said that counselors are available in Counseling and Testing should assistance be needed for students.

She was an employee and professor in the Dual Enrollment Program at Walters State for 29 years and was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Morristown for 20 years. She and her husband, Hank, have served the college students at the church.

In 2016, Teresa was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and in August of 2025 went public with her need for a kidney transplant. Polycystic Kidney Disease is a hereditary disorder that causes cysts to develop within the kidneys, causing them to enlarge and eventually lose function. She had strived to live a healthy lifestyle over the last nine years, but the disease had taken a significant toll on her kidneys. She was in Stage 4 kidney failure. She was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement she received throughout the process of searching for a living donor. While she was never told the exact number, Teresa was humbled by the many people who contacted the University of Tennessee Donor Services to donate on her behalf.

The family would request that people continue to consider kidney donation as there are still 100,000 people in need of a kidney transplant across the United States.

Her dear friend, Jennifer Jones, beautifully described Teresa and her impact on others.

“Teresa always goes out of her way to let people know that she cares for them,” Jennifer said. “She makes countless visits to family, friends, or just people she knows that need and would appreciate a visit. Her family is very important to her and her love for them knows no end. Teresa’s determined and when she agrees to do something she gets it done and does it well. She has a great sense of humor and finds joy even in tough situations. The most important thing to know about Teresa is that she loves Jesus and shares her love of Jesus with others.”

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Frank and Eva West and her father-in-law Carl Smith.

Teresa is survived by her husband of 35 years, Hank Smith, sons Casey (Moriah), Aaron (fiancé Abbey Butler), and two precious granddaughters Adley and Hallie. Her brothers, Sammy (Fleeta) West, Mike (Marsha) West, and Terry West. Her brother-in-law Chuck (Teresa Murph) Smith, niece, Christina West, and special cousin Donna (Don) Calfee.

A receiving of friends will be Friday, June 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church with funeral services to follow. A graveside will be Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Teresa to the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation at etkidney.org.