Obituary

Teresa Diane Smith was born on October 9, 1952, in Dayton, Ohio, to Lillian L. Smith (née Jones) and Maurice Smith. She was raised in Ohio and grew up within a close-knit family that shaped her strength, independence, and loyalty.

Teresa was a graduate of Springfield High School in Springfield, Ohio. After high school, she continued her education in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration. Her education reflected her determination to build a stable life and provided the foundation for her professional career.

Teresa dedicated many years of her working life to healthcare. She worked at the University of Michigan Hospital, beginning in the dialysis unit, where she cared for patients during critical moments of their lives. Through her experience and commitment, she later transitioned into internal medicine, continuing her work with diligence and compassion.

Outside of her professional life, Teresa had a deep love for nature and animals, finding peace and comfort in the natural world. Those who knew her understood her quiet strength, her resilience, and her ability to endure life’s challenges while remaining true to herself.

Family was central to Teresa’s life. Her mother, Lillian Jones, was one of four siblings, alongside sisters Helen Jones and Loretta Jones, and brother Elmer Jones. Teresa shared a particularly close bond with her cousin Macel Hardaman, the son of Loretta Jones, who held a special place in her heart.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian Smith and Maurice Smith, and by her sister Sherry Smith.

She is survived by her son, Derrick Johnson; her brothers Charles Pritchett and Timmy Smith; her beloved cousin Macel Hardaman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and loved ones who will continue to cherish her memory.

In accordance with her wishes, Teresa was cremated, and her ashes are to be spread over her grandmother, Mattie Jones, honoring the deep family roots and legacy that meant so much to her.

Teresa will be remembered for her strength, perseverance, and the love she carried for her family, for animals, and for the quiet beauty of the natural world.