Mother of Filmmaker/Publisher Bayer Mack Dies at 71

Published September 2, 2026 at 6:20 AM EDT

Batavia Arnette Smith (July 23, 1955 - August 28, 2026) Credit: Mack family

FRANKLIN, TN —Batavia Arnette Smith, 71, of Franklin, TN, passed away August 28, 2026 after a battle with ovarian cancer. A professional caregiver by trade, Batavia combined a kind, loving heart with an adventurous mind and spirit. Before going to be with the Lord, Batavia passed on her faith in Christ and her inexhaustible love for humanity to her descendants. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Smith. She is survived by her sons, Bayer Mack (ToTela), Orland Mack (Ebony), Jerome Mack and Jakarta Mack (Allison); grandchildren, Truvena Turner, Paige Mack, Payton Mack, Jamal Mack, Jaden Mack, Jordan Mack, Haley Mack, and Jasmine Mack; great grandchild, Noah Mack; nephews/nieces, Paul Gates (Deborah), Paulette Gates, Cheryl Smith (Vincent), and Rita Gates.

Bayer Mack's award-winning black hair documentary No Lye: An American Beauty Story (2019) is dedicated to her.