Dr. May DeLacy Jessup Smith

Dr. May DeLacy Jessup Smith, age 68, passed away December 23, 2014, from complications from Hodgkin's lymphoma.

An informal visitation will take place Saturday, January 10, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Ward's Funeral Home, 758 Main Street, Gainesville, Georgia.





May DeLacy Smith was born in Macon, Georgia to Lauren Eugene Jessup, of Eastman, and Katharine Hosch Jessup, of Gainesville. May grew up in Macon and Gainesville. She graduated from Gainesville High School, Brenau College, and the University of Georgia, where she belonged to Tri Delta Sorority. The UGA chapter was begun by her grandmother, Elizabeth Kimbrough Hosch, a TriDelta regent. May acquired a BA, an MA, and a PhD. She taught at the high school and college levels. Her later years were spent teaching reading at North Hall Middle School.






May Smith was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Lester and Elizabeth Hosch of Gainesville and W.L. and May DeLacy Jessup of Eastman. May Hall Delacy Jessup was a founding member of the Adelphian Society of Wesleyan Conservatory, (later Wesleyan College), Macon. The Adelphians were the first members of ADPi Sorority. Her paternal great grandfathers were Dr. Philip Jessup, founder of Mercer University and Middle Georgia College, and John Franklin DeLacy, descendant of Roger DeLacy, one of two trappers who founded Fort Augusta for General James Edward Oglethorpe. Her maternal great grandparents were E. E. and Katharine Worley Kimbrough of Gainesville and William and Angeline Victoria Braselton Hosch of Hoschton and Braselton. The Hosches made their former home on family land granted to Braselton ancestor, Revolutionary General Nathanael Greene, before moving to Gainesville.






May Smith is survived by her husband of 39 years, Dr. William Henry Smith, of Clermont; daughter, Kathryn DeLacy Smith Vinson of Knoxville, Tennessee, her husband Christopher Vinson, and granddaughters Elizabeth Kathryn and Amelia DeLacy Vinson; and son, Joseph Henry Smith of Knoxville. Surviving siblings are Katharine Jessup Evans, Marietta; Lauren Angeline Jessup, Gainesville; and William Eugene Jessup, Duluth. Nephews are Charles, William, and Jessup Evans of Athens and Marietta.






May delighted in her two granddaughters, listening to them read, and having tea parties. She was a gifted teacher, a tireless worker, and a fearless thinker. May urged her students to immerse themselves in a work of literature, unlocking its secrets with irony and infectious humor. She spent many hours caring for grateful family members. Her family grieves our loss deeply. We, and many others, have been richly blessed

by her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brenau University by way of the Brenau website https://forevergold.brenau.edu/form/.






Condolences may be made online at wardsfh.com Ward's Funeral Home 758 Main Street S.W. Gainesville in charge of arrangements.