BELLVILLE: Teresa “Chaz” Lynn Smith, a tough-as-nails, horse-loving force of nature, passed away on her 56th birthday, May 4, 2025 following a very brief illness. Known for her sharp wit, soft heart, and that ever-present cigarette in one hand and Mountain Dew in the other, Chaz lived life her own way—and she did it with grit, grace, and a whole lot of humor.
She was born in Chardon in 1969 and her family moved to the valley before she started school. She attended both Clear Fork and JVS studying business technology. On June 16, 1990, the hottest day ever, she married Craig Smith and together they shared nearly 35 years and raised their two children. Teresa worked many jobs over the years, but spent over the past twenty at Step 2 in Perrysville doing everything down to driving the tow motor.
Horses were in her blood. She rode both Western and English styles with pride and skill, showing for many years and later rescuing horses from last-chance corral. On her father’s farm, she gave them new beginnings, and her favorite horse, Herman, became her most cherished companion. His passing left a hole in her heart that never quite healed.
Chaz loved nature and the simple, beautiful things in life—walks through the woods, day lilies in bloom, and mushroom hunting (though she had no interest in eating them). Some of her best days were spent at the family cabin in Pennsylvania, where she found joy in the chaos gathering with family.
She was stubborn, smart, funny, and had a personality as bold as brass. She could bake a pie like nobody’s business, especially her famous kolaczki cookies, and her beef and noodles were the stuff of legend. She supported her kids fiercely—through school and sports, through life, through everything—always showing up with food, advice, or just that steady, “you’ve got this” presence.
Known as “Chaz” to those closest to her, she didn’t sugarcoat anything and didn’t need to. Her love was real, her strength unmatched, and her quirks unforgettable—especially her taste for rare steak and her signature combo of smokes and Dew. She made everyone laugh, and if she was teasing you, that meant you were loved.
Teresa is survived by her husband Craig Smith, daughter Jordan Smith (Megan Robinson), son James (Abbi) Smith, grand dog and cat Cyprus and Nox, mother and stepfather Kathy and Lendon Parish, sister Mary (Dan) Weirich, brothers-in-law Bobby Smith, Rod Smith, and Dwayne Smith, nieces Stephanie Weirich, Sarah (Tom) Jones, nephews Ryan Smith and Chase Ross, great nephew Thomas Jones and many cousins and beloved friends who will miss her sass, her stories, and her fierce love every single day.
She was preceded in death by her father William Rinehardt, sister Grace Ross, mother-in-law and father-in-law Norma and James Smith, and sister-in-law Vicky Smith.
Friends may call Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 12 pm to 3 pm in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where a memorial service honoring Teresa will follow at 3 pm. Pastor Carol Kilgore will speak.
In her honor, the family asks that donations be made to the Butler-Worthington Township Fire and Rescue Squad, or better yet—rescue something, walk in the woods, laugh a little louder, and raise a Mountain Dew in her memory.
Ride free, Chaz—Herman’s waiting.