Jun 2, 2026

Teresa West Smith, 53, met her Lord and Savior Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026. Teresa was a loving wife, mom, Mimi, sister, aunt, and friend. She always put others before herself and had a servant’s heart. She was an employee and Professor at Walters State Community College for 29 years. Teresa was an active member at Hillcrest Baptist Church for 20 years. The last five years, she and Hank have served the college students, who she loved as her own.

In 2016, Teresa was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and in August of 2025 went public with her need for a kidney transplant. 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 UT 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.

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.

Receiving of friends will be Friday, June 5th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church with funeral services to follow. Graveside will be Saturday, June 6th at St. Paul Cemetery at 11 a.m.

Pallbearers: Don Calfee, Todd Davidson, Phil Hurst, Doug Jones, Jared Masoner, and Dennis Mills.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Teresa to the East Tennessee Kidney Foundation at etkidney.org.

Teresa’s life verse was “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 Allen funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.