Mary E. Smith

Mary Elizabeth Smith, 90, of Punta Gorda, FL passed on at home on September 13, 2015. She was the daughter of Jessie and Ann (Connor) White, born October 12, 1924, in Sheffield, AL. Mary and her husband, James L. Smith, moved to Punta Gorda Isles in 2001, and made PGI their second retirement home. After losing her husband of 64 years, Mary began a new life for herself as a regular volunteer at the Cultural Center of Port Charlotte. Through her work there, she found a renewed sense of happiness and purpose, and new life connections with some wonderful friends. Mary's children would like to thank those friends, as well as a true family of neighbors who took extra time to meet so many of her needs during Mary's last years in Punta Gorda, her last hometown, a town she refused to leave. Mary will be greatly missed by her daughter, Nancy Anderson; sons, Jim Smith, Ronnie (Cheri) Smith, and Glynn (Judy) Smith; daughter-in-law, Janis Smith; grandchildren, Shannon Skates, Julie (Chris) Krueger, Jennifer (Nate) Read, Rex (Staci) Johnston, Tami Webb, J Lee (Kassidy) Smith, Shelley (Rick) Greene, Stan (Lauri) Anderson, Phillip (Amy) Smith, Christopher (Amanda) Smith; sisters, Vera (Jimmy) Hankins, Verna Bohannon, Nell Anderson, and Margaret Guess; many great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 64 years, James L. Smith; son, Jerry Smith; daughter-in-law, Ann Smith; granddaughter, Cherie Van Wyck; brother, James H. White; and brothers-in-law, Don Guess and John Bohannon. Many thanks to the office staff of Dr. Robert Garrett who lovingly cared for Mary's medical needs for fifteen years. Also, her family offers a special word of thanks to Dr. Vance Maloney and the nursing and therapy staffs at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda for their professional care during much of 2015. Finally, the family is eternally grateful to Tidewell Hospice for their compassionate care of their mother for the last few weeks of her life. The family will receive friends 1:00-2:00 pm Friday, September 18, 2015 Forest Hills Funeral Gardens in Southhaven, MS with the service in celebration of Mary's life beginning at 2:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice (tidewell.org) or Liberty Community Church of North Port, FL. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.