Matolisa Smith, 47, transitioned on Friday, February 25, 2022, Baptist East Hospital, Memphis, TN.
On March 24, 1974 in Pontotoc, MS, a very beautiful baby girl was born to John and Naomi Wilson Smith, She was the first of four girls, named after her two grandmothers; Mattie Pearl Wilson and Madam Comfort Ubege Olisa. Her name was Matolisa Kawana Smith.
All of her life she was known as Lisa, until she had nieces and nephews of her own to come along, and they called her "Lele." Lisa attended school in Pontotoc and Arkansas, and graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1992. She attended the University of Louisiana, Arkansas State University, and received her BS Degree in Business Administration from Rust College, Holly Springs, MS. She received two Master's Degrees from Webster University. She was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lisa was employed with the Department of Human Services for approximately seven years and later began working as Human Resource Director at MS Dept. of Transportation in Batesville, MS.
She was an active member in her church, Spirit of Excellence, until her health failed. Lisa served on the Kitchen Committee and the Finance Board. One thing that Lisa loved to do was fish. She later acquired a love for deer hunting. She not only liked the sport, but she enjoyed eating her catch. She was truly a country girl, making sure she had a little garden where she could gather and share her vegetables. And no one could find a better bargain than Lisa! We called her an "Expert Shopper!" Lisa spent quality time doing her crafts, making beautiful wreaths for all occasions and sharing them with family and friends.
Lisa was the glue for her family. Always trying to take care of everyone else before herself. The Lord blessed her with a little girl and a little boy, her niece and nephew, Ariana and John David Blockmon, who she reared and cared for as her own children. Even though John grew up to tower over her, she was still Lele to him. Her big heart loved to spoil all of her nieces and nephews, and they knew they could get almost anything out of Lele. She kept up with their games and travelled all over the south with John and his ball team as long as she had strength.
Lisa was married to Gaius Robinson for five years. Upon learning of Lisa's illness, he promised to stand by her as she had done for him. They remained friends until the end.
Even though Lisa was not a member there, she constantly felt and received love from the Toccopola Church of the Living God family and other churches as well. She would often join the virtual Women's Prayer Group on Thursday nights. She was known to encourage others that were going through even during her own illness.
Lisa left this world behind on February 25, 2022. Her memories will live on through her "special son," John David Blockmon, her father, John Golden Smith; her sisters; Goldie N. Holliman of Marion, AR, Johnnetta Blockmon Townsend of IL, Brittany L. Brown and her brother-in-law; Tremmell Brown of Little Rock, AR, her aunt; Mattie B. Wilson of Pontotoc, uncles and aunts; Raymond and Esteen Wilson of Pontotoc, George and Etta Lindsey of Toccopola, Dave and Ruth Wilson of Hopkins, MI, and uncle Paul T. Wilson of Fort Wayne, IN, great-aunt; Katie Eller of Gary, IN, nephews Mike Hall and Garrett Holliman, her god-son, and nieces Arlana Blockmon, Alyse Holliman, and Alivia Brown, great niece; Ke'Ari Key, special friends; Jackie Glover, Tammy Thomas, Felicia Caffey, Martha Logan, Jeremy Flemons, and Cheryl Wofford, many cousins, co-workers and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Dave and Mattie Pearl Wilson, Donald Smith, and Madam Comfort U. Olisa, her mother, Naomi Wilson Smith, and her best friend, Stacy McMurry.
Viewing will be Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 10:00 a.m., at Serenity-Autry Funeral Home Chapel, Pontotoc, MS.
Service will be Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 12:00 Noon, Serenity-Autry Funeral Home Chapel, Pontotoc, MS.
Burial will take place at Pontotoc City Cemetery.
Serenity-Autry Funeral Home of Pontotoc, MS, is in charge of arrangements.
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