Nancy Jett

Nancy (Smith) Jett was born on September 22, 1942 in Salisbury, N.C. to Ruth and James Smith. God called Nancy home on January 16th, 2026. Nancy grew up in China Grove, North Carolina where she graduated from Agra High School in 1960

She later moved to Knoxville T.N. with her husband, Grandville Jett, in 1977 to a community called Austin Homes, where she lived for over 25 years.

Nancy was well known, loved and greatly appreciated by everyone that she came in contact with. Without a doubt, she was a loving mother, grandmother and wife. Nancy always made sure that all of her family knew and understood that God was the head of her life and theirs.

Nancy always made her family gatherings the best. There was never a dull moment with Nancy around. She was the best chef her family ever knew, hands down.

Nancy wore many hats in her life. She worked as a cafeteria worker at Pond Gap Elementary. She also became president of the Austin Homes Community Women's Center back in the 1990’s. She also worked at the Dollar General Store, where she worked herself up to assistant operations manager. She would work this job until she retired.

Nancy was a best friend to all of her family. At the end of the day, her family could not have asked for a better mother and grandmother in this world. She spent 83 years of her life blessing all that were able to get to know her.

Nancy is preceded in death by husband, Grandville Jett; daughter, Bobette (McILwaine) Parker; mother, Ruth (Neely) Smith; father, James Smith; and grandparents, Carl and Pattie Neely.

She leaves to cherish her memories daughters, Tara Douglas and Angela Douglas; grandchildren, Shara (Jonisha Morelan) McILwaine, Ronnie (Amber Fender) McILwaine, Dasiny (Demetrius Ross) McIlwaine-Ross, Shynika Batista, Ariella (Shacquille) Henry, Kelsey Gurly, Rodney Smith; great grandchildren, Aniya McILwaine, Destiny Lawrence, Amia Lawence, Ron’Nayzha McILwaine, Leron McILwaine, Katalina Batista, Da’Mariyha McILwaine, A’Ryonn Douglas, Kaia Batista, Ronnie McILwaine Jr., Zariah Henry, Shacquille Henry Jr., Greg Mitchell;  great great grandchildren, Neriah Roberts, Malachii Gilbreth, sister, Ruth Streeter of  North Carolina; brother, Robert Smith of North Carolina; beloved niece, Marnita Davis of North Carolina; beloved nephews, Cedrick and La’Marcus Streeter; the Gillette and Stocks family; a host of family and friends in North Carolina; the Austin Homes Community; and many other family and friends.

Family will receive friends Saturday January 31, 2026 from 5:30 to 6:30 at Jarnigan & Son Chapel, located at 2823 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914 with funeral services to follow.

Final arrangements entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary. www.jarniganandson.com