Jill Cathleen Smith

     CHILLICOTHE – Jill Cathleen Smith, 63, of Chillicothe, passed from this life on Friday evening, July 9, 2021 at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus following an extended illness and courageous fight.

     She was born April 10, 1958 in Chillicothe to the late Myron C. and Wilda L. (Bayless) Lynch.  On August 9, 1986 she was united in marriage to Lanny W. Smith.

     In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son Lane C. Smith of Chillicothe, sisters Wilda R. (James) Arnold of Westerville, Paula J. Teacher of Columbus, Diane K. Smith of Chillicothe; a brother Jeffery (Janette) Lynch of St. Petersburg, Florida; brothers-in-law Gregory (Kay Muthana) Smith, Bruce Smith and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

     Besides her parents, she was predeceased by brothers and sisters-in-law Myron C. Lynch, Jr. and his wife Naomi, James R. Lynch, Javine Smith Artis; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Lucille Medley Smith, two nieces and three nephews.

     Jill graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1976, received her degree in education from the University of Oklahoma and graduate degree from the University of Southern California.

     She taught sign language and other various subjects and also coached volleyball and track in the Chillicothe School District, and was Assistant Athletic Director at Smith Middle School until her health failed her.  She started the Sign Language club at Smith Middle School to mainstream hearing impaired students.  She was also an adjunct Professor teaching sign language at Ohio University, Chillicothe.  She was a member of Zion Baptist Church and attended Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church. 

     She was an avid sports fan and loved her Oklahoma Sooners, USC Trojans and the Buffalo Bills; she was also a trivia fan, loved music and movies.  Above all, she loved her family and her students and she will be dearly missed by all of those she touched.

     Funeral services will be held on Friday July 16 at 1:00 pm at Zion Baptist Church with Rev Dr. Troy Gray and Rev. Victor Davis presiding.  Friends may call at the church from 11:00 am until the start of the service. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery Frankfort.  The family has requested that, if you plan to attended the service, please wear a mask and observe social distancing.

     Arrangements are under the direction of the Ware Funeral Home.

     You may sign her online register at www.warefh.com

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