Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

MADISON – Jacqueline Kay ‘Jackie’ Smith significantly influenced the future of thousands of her students. Ms. Smith passed away on March 17 at Huntsville Hospital.

Ms. Smith taught Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM classes at Mill Creek Elementary School.

“Ms. Smith was a dedicated employee of Madison City Schools. She had been a teacher in the district for over 15 years,” Mill Creek Principal Nathan Wilson said. She had been employed at Mill Creek since 2009.

Jackie Smith sponsored several clubs: Greenpower USA, Destination Imagination, GEMS, Science Olympiad and the Tech Team. The Greenpower team won the 2023 National Championship, and Destination Imagination won the State Championship in 2023, Wilson said.

“She was also the Extended Day Director from 2009-2024,” Wilson said. “Ms. Smith was able to obtain grant money each year, and she used that money to purchase items that would provide her students with experiences that they would never forget.”

“Ms. Smith loved Mill Creek! She loved the students and the staff! She was one of the most selfless people that I have ever met. The Mill Creek Family misses her so much,” Wilson said.

Mill Creek PTA officers set up an email account at MsJackieSmith@gmail.com to collect messages for Ms. Smith’s family. In email, Ms. Smith’s friends and associates can share memories about their time together.

Ms. Smith was born June 8, 1965. She was a member of Berea Baptist Church.

Mike Coon officiated her service at Limestone Memorial Gardens on March 23. Spry Funeral Home in Athens managed arrangements. Jackie Smith lived in Athens and was 58 years old.

Ms. Smith is survived by her daughter, Alexandria Smith of Washington D.C., and her sister, Pam Stanford of Athens.

Jackie Smith earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and in elementary education at Athens State University. She received a master’s degree in elementary education at the University of West Alabama. Smith achieved status of National Board Certified Teacher.

Previously, she taught fifth-grade science at Columbia Elementary School. At Mill Creek, she taught science, math and social studies with fifth-graders.

Smith’s rescue pup is named Xena. According to Mill Creek’s website, she enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, sewing and playing pool. “Game of Thrones” was her favorite book series. She always cheered for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Smith worked as a hands-on sponsor for Mill Creek’s Green Power Racing Team. At the Greenpower Splash race on March 21, Mill Creek’s Green Power Racing Team devoted their efforts to Jackie Smith and celebrated “Team Jackie” Day. At their tent, her oversized photograph included the message “Love you, Ms. Smith.”

On one race car, students painted “Team Jackie – Never Fight Alone” and autographed the car with their hand/palm prints and signatures. The car crew wore T-shirts reading “Smith’s Pit Crew.”