Nita Cooper Smith

Graveside services were held Monday, November 30, 2009 at Bassfield Cemetery for Nita Carole Saucier Smith, age 65, who died at her residence in Canton, MS on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. Rev. Hudie Holifield officiated. Pallbearers were Jeremy Smitherman, Charles Pain, Kerry Lyle, Jarrod Lee, Andrew Parmer and Terry Duffie. Ms. Smith was born April 4, 1944 in Hattiesburg, MS. She was the daughter of George Saucier and Nita Runnels Saucier. Ms. Smith graduated from Mississippi University for Women (MSCW) in 1966 with a degree in education and later obtained Masters level degrees from Mississippi State in Special Education. She taught school in Slidell, LA, Columbus, MS, and Jackson, MS. Ms. Smith is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Cooper Lee (Jarrod); a son, Dan Smith; daughters, Cyndi Smith Parmer (Andy) and Coni Smith Kemp (Shayne); son, Mike Smith and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her name to Madison Ridgeland Academy, 7601 Old Canton Rd., Madison, Mississippi to establish tutoring scholarships for students.