Leigh Michelle Smith, 53, of Chattanooga passed away on January 31, 2025.

She was born on Feb. 4, 1971, in Dalton, Ga., to the late Lloyd Ralph Smith and Mona Louise Beavers McNew. Michelle was a graduate of Trion H.S. and won state in tennis. They said she had an almost unreturnable left-hand serve. After high school she went on to receive her associate's degree from West Georgia College and then on to the University of Georgia where she completed her bachelor's segree in Human Resources. Michelle was an avid Georgia "Bulldawg" fan and passionate about the outdoors. Her favorite place was sitting on her porch in Grandview overlooking the Watts Bar Lake.

She began her career in human resources as an HR business partner in healthcare supporting hospital and physicians practices. She also spent 10 years on the retail side working her way up to store management with both Home Depot and Target. Michelle also was an HR manager for a carpet manufacturing company and for an environmental consulting firm.

Michelle began her career with TVA in April 2013 as a employee relations consultant supporting the gas fleet. She spent many miles on the road, thousands to be exact. She even helped oversee the closure of the Bullrun plant. Her final time was spent at Watts Bar in Spring City over the Human Resources Department.

She was preceded in death by her nephew, Brian Weston Smith and her parents.

Left behind to cherish Michelle's memory are her brothers, Brent Smith (Traci) and Brian Smith (Sonya), and two nieces, Anna Smith and Taylor Smith, two step-brothers, Brian and Bruce McNew, many cousins, and her numerous dear friends.

A Celebration of Michelle's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Noel Caldwell officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Michelle's memory may be made to Little Bit of Heaven Rescue, Dalton, GA., https://littlebitofheavenrescue.com

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, TN., has been entrusted with the arrangements.