Obituary: Margaret Ervin Smith
Margaret Ervin Smith, 84, of Bolivar, departed this earthly life on Monday, August 18, 2025, at her home.
She was born on October 12, 1940, in Hardeman County, daughter of the late Iva Grantham Ervin and Arthur Henry Ervin, both of whom preceded her in death. A graduate of Central High School in Bolivar, she also graduated from Blue Mountain University and was an elementary school teacher in Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. She married James Smith on August 25, 1961.
Margaret enjoyed the opportunities serving alongside her husband in the ministry in various churches. Those opportunities included teaching children, youth, and adults. The girls’ mission organization, Acteens, was one of her highlights. She also saw the great value in the Children’s Bible Drill program and led her own children to excel in Bible skills as well as serving as the associational Bible drill director.
Several of the churches where Margaret and her husband, James, served had very effective bus ministries in which Margaret enjoyed being involved.
Margaret, like her husband, found great joy in many phases of ministry related to people. She often remarked that she found her real place in the ministry beside her husband.
Margaret and husband, James, and family enjoyed traveling, usually in their motorhome, often enroute to attend a convention or conference. A major traveling adventure was their Alaskan Cruise hosted by Max Lucado and shared with daughter, Rachelle, and husband, Will.
Margaret prepared a book of memories of their lives in ministry detailing many events related to their work in eight pastorates. She also wrote a book, “A Collection of Life Stories” sharing details of their family and their long and blessed life together. During Margaret’s life and the life of her minister husband, the joy of her life came from her daily involvement in the lives of the people of the churches where they served, as well as from being a constant encourager to her children and grandchildren.
Although children and grandchildren sometimes lived a distance away, there was nothing that brought more joy and delight to Margaret than to anticipate and enjoy their visits. Meanwhile, frequent and long phone conversations helped to bridge the distance.
Margaret and husband, James, enjoyed their retirement to the Smith family farm. They could often be seen riding their golf cart in the fields or around the lake. She always took great pride in their annual garden and in helping with grooming their large lawn and garden.
Chapel services will be at Shackelford Funeral Directors, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Bolivar with the burial in the Ebenezer Cemetery near Toone.
Survivors include her husband, James Smith of Bolivar; two children, Rachelle McIntosh (Will) and Nathan Smith (Serena); a sister, Margie Schultz; her grandchildren, Shelby Albonetti (Abel), Trey and Peyton Wilkinson, Cole and Hallie Smith, London Kunasek (Kolby), and Lea and Ian McIntosh; and three great grandchildren, Brady, Kinley and Casen Albonetti. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two siblings, Marvin Ervin and his wife Mary, Marlene DeBerry and her husband Bobby, and her brother-in-law, Erik Schultz. Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to Bolivar First Baptist Church.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
Read more obituaries by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by following Hatchie Press on Facebook and subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
