Nell Gilchrist Wise

Nell Gilchrist Wise was born in Crenshaw County on Aug. 25, 1913, the daughter of Gilbert L. Gilchrist and Tollie Williamson Gilchrist who preceded her in death. Funeral services will be today at Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel in Opp at 10 a.m. with burial following in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church of Kinston, P.O. Box 276, Kinston, AL 36453. In 1932, Nell married her high school sweetheart J. Robert Wise of Kinston. To this union three children were born. The Progressive Farmer Magazine recognized and honored this family in 1953 as a Master Farm Family of Alabama. Robert preceded her in death as well as their oldest son, Abner Bob Wise, DVM of Margate, Fla. On a Christian tour to China in 1987, she met and later married Frank M. Smith of Eustis, Fla. They moved to Lakeland, Fla., in 1990 enjoying 11 years together until his death in 1998. She retired from Douglas MacArthur Technical College in Opp in 1986, where she had served as hostess food service manager and dietician of the cafeteria since its opening in June of 1968. She also taught a course in foods and nutrition while at the college and served as president of support personnel. In earlier years she was very active in Baptist programs and work. She served in many capacities including five years as WMU Director of Coffee County. This service gave her many opportunities to entertain missionaries and state workers in her home. She was member of The First Baptist Church of Kinston and currently a resident of The WoodMoore Assisted Living in Opp. She is survived by her son, J. Paul Wise of Montgomery; daughter, Teresa A. (Hinton D.) Hall of Kinston; brother, J. Maxwell Gilchrist of Tallahassee, Fla.; sisters, Tula A. Nichols of Enterprise and Elizabeth Baker of Troy; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by brothers, Terry Clyde Gilchrist, William Alvin Gilchrist, John W. Gilchrist and Jessie Ola Gilchrist; and sister, Mary Alice Spurlin. Wyatt Funeral Home in Opp, (334) 493-2506, is in charge of arrangements.