Grace M. Smith, 102, passed away peacefully in her home in Clearwater, Florida on May 1, 2012.
Born Grace Meryl Jones in Newell, West Virginia on March 3, 1910, she attended school in West Virginia and after graduation from West Liberty College was an elementary school teacher in Newell. She married Alfred J. Smith of Salineville, Ohio on April 2, 1936, and the couple settled in Lisbon, Ohio where she continued her teaching career at McKinley Elementary School. After retiring from teaching the couple moved to On Top of the World condominiums in Clearwater, Florida in 1971 where she has resided ever since. Grace was a member of Eva Chapter #311 of the New Lisbon Eastern Star and active in many local organizations over the years. The couple was a co-owner of the Park Avenue Market in Lisbon with the Wolfe family and Grace served as co-manager of the grocery store while Alfred served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II. Over her 102 years as a school teacher and her community involvement Grace touched many lives in both Lisbon and Clearwater, and will be sorely missed.
She leaves a brother Gail Jones of Georgetown, Pennsylvania; a son, Alfred J. Smith II and daughter-in-law Sue Smith of Tampa, Florida; a nephew Robert C. Jones of Newell, West Virginia; two grandsons, Mathew S. Smith of St. Petersburg, Florida and Robert D. Smith of Land O’ Lakes, Florida; three great grandsons and two great granddaughters.
Graveside services will be held at Woodland Cemetery in Salineville, Ohio at 11 AM on Monday, May 7, 2012 where she will be placed beside her husband who preceded her in death in March of 1985.
Services will be arranged by Kerr Pastore Funeral Home, 36 W. Maine Street, Salineville, OH 43945, (330) 679-2327.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Grace's name to Suncoast Hospice Foundation (RE: Red Team), 5771 Roosevelt Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760, (727) 586-4432. www.thehospicefoundation.org
Please sign the guestbook below.
A precious lady that I have known for 80 years. She will be sorely missed. I had been in contact with her at least twice a month and the last time, three days before her death. I loved her very much. God Bless Her!
I thought of you with love today
but that is nothing new
I thought about you yesterday
and days before that too,
I think of you in silence
I often speak your name
All I have are memories
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake
with which I’ll never part
God has you in His keeping
I have you in my heart
Jim and Sue,
Thank you for sharing your mother’s story with us. I got a nice understanding about her. It was an honor to take care of her. I’m glad all went well with the services in Ohio even with the challenges you had. I’m also glad your uncle was able to attend as well. God Bless you all.
Jim,
I learned only recently of your mom’s passing. She and my mother were dear friends when they taught together in Lisbon. I did my student teaching under your mom’s supervision. She was a wonderful example of a great teacher. I remember how proud she was of her two little grandsons.
My deepest condolences
Joyce McPherson