Author Description

Emma Lois Hargis Smith was born in Stewart County, Tennessee, in 1902, where she resided until her death in 1998. With the exception of a few years in Big Rock after marrying Elfry Smith and the final year of her life in Clarksville, her entire life was spent in Bumpus Mills, a city she affectionately referred to as the "Garden Spot of the World." Emma Smith was not a notable scholar, never won a peace prize or medal of honor, or found a cure for a disease. She didn't do any of the notable things that usually bring widespread fame and recognition to a person. No singular event or act made her unique and special so that a book should be written about her. However, her approach to life and the impact she had on others was undeniably just as great and worthy of mention in this comprehensive narrative that follows her from the womb though the one-year anniversary of her death. Her story spans ninety-six years and references details of a changing world, taking the reader from candlelight to electricity and from Model T Fords to modern automobiles. The reader experiences a touch of World War II through the eyes and hearts of the rural South. The reader is invited to see glimpses of life as it was in rural Tennessee during the lifespan of Emma Smith. Most of the stories and details within these pages were derived from the very lips of Emma Smith, as videotaped by her daughter and granddaughter a few years prior to her death. In addition, the author conducted many interviews with family members and researched historical public information to ensure accuracy. The quotes herein are true quotes, and the events are factual.