Tressie Beatrice Smith Paschal, 87, of Muncie, passed away on April 26, 2026, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s.

She was born on June 21, 1938, in New Castle, AL, to Arthur Smith and Maudie Sue (Chambers) Smith. Tressie graduated from Tarrant City High School (Alabama) in 1956. She graduated from Jacksonville State College in Jacksonville, AL in 1960 with a degree in Business Education and English. She continued her college education at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1962 with a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling. Tressie also took additional graduate courses at Ball State University after moving to Muncie, IN in 1968.

Tressie worked at J.B. Clow & Sons and the University of Alabama while pursuing her college degrees. After college, she was a guidance counselor and teacher in Dade County, Florida, a business instructor at IVY Tech in Muncie, a guidance counselor for Southern Wells Jr. – Sr. High School in Poneto, Indiana, and a guidance counselor for Wapahani High School in Selma, IN.

Tressie enjoyed being a member of the Ball State University Women’s Club in addition to other professional organizations, bridge groups, social groups, and clubs. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, cruises, reading, puzzles, family activities, and volunteering. Tressie was a member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church since 1968.

Tressie is survived by three sons, Keith of Newport News, VA, William (Heather) of LaGrange, GA, and Derek (Julie) of Glen Ellyn, IL; four grandchildren, Madeline (Zach), Alexandra (Lawson), Andrew, and Claire. Additional survivors include her siblings, Robert Smith, Louise Triplet, Fern Strahan, and Linda Graham (Royce), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tressie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Dr. Billy J. Paschal.

The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Rd 3, Muncie, IN 47303.

A service to celebrate Tressie’s life will follow at 12:00 Noon at the funeral home.

Burial will take place at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 10703 N. State Rd 3, Muncie, IN 47303.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741.