Mrs. Julia Ann Smith Harkins

Jeffcoat Funeral Home255 Friendship RoadTallassee, AL 36078Tel (334) 283-6801 Julia Ann Smith Harkins, a resident of Auburn, Alabama, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Julia was born in East Tallassee, Alabama, on December 07, 1941, to J.M. Mac Smith and Jewel Webster Smith. After graduating from Reeltown High School, she attended Huntingdon, Troy and Auburn Universities. Julia is preceded in death by her parents and an older sister, Bonnie Jean Smith Ennis. She is survived by her husband, William Bill Harkins; son, Lee Harkins and his wife Mary, their two sons, Larson and Smith; son, Jason Harkins and his wife Nikki, their two daughters, Taylor and Colee; sister, Pallie Smith Butler and her husband Kyle; niece, Cindy Ennis Sams and her husband Doug, their children, Sarah, Matt, Emily and Katie; niece, Phyllis Ennis Mitchell and her husband Johnny, and their sons, Bryan and Justin.Also counted as survivors are a very big circle of close and special friends with whom Julia shared bonds just as strong as that of any biological family. For over thirty years, she has been a very faithful member of Sand Hill Bible Church. She found great joy in studying the Bible, sharing Christs love and praising Christ in her daily life and prayers. Through her church, she surely kept a right relationship with God. After living in Homewood and establishing what became lasting friendships with students and young professionals there, she and William came to Auburn in 1969 and ran a student dining hall (Windsor Hall) for a number of years. Here they started a chain of close relationships with a large number of students and their families from around the state. After dining halls went out of vogue, additional friendships were cemented as family or friends of the older student families came to Auburn. They would often call upon Julia and William for advice and assistance, especially for housing or to just pass on greetings. Julia and William were considered Auburn Parents in Residence. As Lee and Jason were growing up in Auburn, close relationships developed with local families as they were brought together at swimming pools, athletic fields and school and church activities. These friends kept a steady stream of visits to the Harkins residence either looking for Julias cat head biscuits or a typical southern meal of one meat and fifteen vegetables. Julia has enjoyed very close and special bonds with these people who will certainly miss her. In recent years, these close relationships have been extended to a third generation to whom she is affectionately known as JuJu. Her life will be celebrated at a visitation Monday evening, July 25, 2011, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Jeffcoat Funeral Home, Friendship Road, Tallassee, Alabama.Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 2:00pm from Jeffcoat Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jim Tate, one of the many Auburn graduates who have maintained a special relationship with Julia and her family, and Julias pastor, Reverend Bobby Freeman, officiating. Her earthly body will be laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery, Tallassee, Alabama. The family extends their greatest appreciation for the wonderful care provided by Beth Daniels, RN, Jalitha Carter, CNA of Hospice Advantage and to the many others who have given their time, resources and prayers to meet Julias needs in her last days. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to one of Julias favorite charities which supports her personal friend, Carla Etheridge, and her work as a missionary to women and children in Uganda, Africa. These donations can be made in Julias name to Lamplighter Ministries Tabitha Project, P. O. Box 481, Auburn, AL 36831. Online condolences are available at: www.jeffcoatfuneralhome.com. Jeffcoat Funeral Home DirectingTallassee, Alabama