Roberta Elaine Smith

Roberta “Bert” Smith, 90, of Lake Mary, FL passed on Sunday July 28th, surrounded by loved. Bert, as she was affectionately known, was a native of Bellville, Ohio, but lived the majority of her later years in the Orlando area. She was a dedicated matriarch of the Smith clan, and proud owner of Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Orlando. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends at her homes in Ohio and North Carolina, attending sporting events, NASCAR races, and generally any place where people were going to have a good time. She also liked to cook for her family, and she remains the only person to have made the perfect Christmas cookie. Her friends and loved ones are deeply saddened at the passing of this terrific woman. Bert leaves a legacy of love, kindness, openness, and leadership for all of the friends, family and colleagues that knew her best.

Bert was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Lee Moury and Bessie Fern Secrist Moury. She was born in Bellville Ohio, on July 15th, 1929. The 5th of 5 daughters, Bert and her sisters, Velma, Margaret, Lillian, and Naomi, all helped Arthur and Bessy run the family farm on Ankneytown Road. Though they eventually took separate paths in life, Bert and her sisters built a bond that remained strong throughout their lives.

Bert graduated from Bellville High School in 1947, and married Harvey Horn Smith, a farmer, on April 2nd, 1951. They lived for a short while in Bucyrus, Ohio, but Harvey soon found the car business more rewarding than farming and the family moved to Mansfield soon after getting married. Harvey and Bert, the ever supportive wife and mother, had 5 children between the years 1951 and 1958: Chris, Vickie, Mike, Orie, and Stew. When people asked Bert how she best remembered the 1950s in America, she often joked that she remembered being pregnant! If she was ever invited to a 1950s themed party, she was likely show up in a maternity dress, rather than a poodle skirt.

Bert and Harvey’s success in the car business eventually moved them from Ohio, to Arkansas, and the finally to Miami, Florida. In Miami, Bert was known for her generosity and welcome kitchen. Due to the close proximity of their house to the ball-fields and schools where the children played sports, Bert, who likely learned a few tricks form Harvey, a former Navy cook, had dinner ready for all who might show up. Coaches, colleagues, pediatricians, teammates, friends, and of course, family were all welcome at the Smith house. The fond memories of these times remain a regular topic of conversation amongst those who experienced it.

After Miami, Bert and Harvey moved to the mountains of North Carolina, and eventually built a cabin in Clyde. Referred to simply as “the Cabin” by family and friends, it remains a place for them to enjoy today.

Bert and Harvey moved again in 1976, to Orlando, FL, where they would team up to run “The New” Orlando Dodge on Colonial Avenue. The dealership became a great success under the leadership of the Smith family. After Harvey’s death in 1989, Bert continued to work at the dealership with Mike and Stew. As the owner and operator of Orlando Dodge, Bert eventually made it a ranking of 159 of the top 500 business women in America, according to Working Woman’s Magazine. A feat of which she was immensely proud.

Being the strong matriarch after Harvey’s passing, Bert made a point to gather the entire family together, especially during the Holidays. Each year, the entire Smith clan joined her to spend time together to eat, drink, and be merry. As the family grew, so did the celebration, and eventually the yearly trip to Bert’s house became lovingly referred to as “Smithmas.”

It’s hard to summarize a person’s life who led a life like Bert Smith’s, but hopefully this has done it a modicum of justice. Her ripples of kindness extended to all, and she will be sorely missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Bessy; sisters’, Margaret, Velma, and Lillian; and her husband Harvey. She is survived by her sister, Naomi. Her children, Chris, Vickie, Mike, Orie and Stew. Grandchildren, Jodi, Chuck, Branson, Brett, Matt, Whitney, Shane, Jared, Mitchell, Madison and Sophie. Great-grand-children include Cameron, Madelyn, Greg, Lilah, Bode and Winnie.

Bert’s service will be held at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home at 994 East Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Visitation will held Friday August 2nd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral will be held Saturday August 3rd at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the American Cancer Society or the ALS Association.