Clara Janis Smith

Clara Janis (Jan) Smith, 75, passed away on September 24, 2023. She was born in Tampa, Florida, raised in Blackshear, Georgia and settled down in Jacksonville with the love of her life, Andy. She graduated from Blackshear High School, Class of 1965. She also attended South Georgia college in Douglas, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Simeon Jackson Barber and Thelma Alday Barber.

Survivors include her sister, Jacqueline Barber Kellow, daughter Laurie (James) Wray; sons, Dolan (Shannon) Smith, John (Sandy) Smith, and Jeremy (Becky) Smith. Grandchildren; Justin, Morgan, Brooke, Missoura, Andrew, Austin, Dylan, Garrett, and Easton. Great Grandchildren; Harrison, Carson, Gianna and Kash. 11 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Jan was fiercely proud of her four children and found endless joy and peace over the past difficult months with her family by her side. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a woman of many talents and interests, she was once the owner of her own scrapbook business and did upholstery for many years. She was also passionate about genealogy and spent countless hours researching her family’s history.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 29 at 12:30 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Assumption Catholic Church located at 2403 Atlantic Blvd. Mass will be officiated by Monsignor Michael R. Houle and Deacon Robert DeLuca.

Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville.

Donations may be made in Jan’s name to the Alice and T O’Neal Douglas Center for Care.