Gary Lamar Smith Sr.

Mr. Gary Lamar Smith, Sr. passed away on Thursday, April 15th at 62 years of age, after losing a battle with COVID-19. Gary was born February 5th, 1959 to the late Cecil E. Smith and Lorene E. Smith. Gary was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, grandfather and father in-law. He was married to his late wife, Carolyn J. Smith for 39 years. He is survived by his two sons, Matthew Smith with support from his late girlfriend Kyrie Higginbotham; Gary L. Smith, Jr. and wife Dr. Catherine B. Smith; grandsons Leonidas Bumgarner-Smith and Elias Bumgarner-Smith and sisters Eva McLoon, and Roxanne Bell. Gary was a lifetime Floridian. He referred to himself working as a “meat-cutter” for 45 years, with Publix, Food Lion and Sam’s Club. He was a devoted Christian and believer in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Gary was a fan of football, both NFL and College, a lifetime fan of the Florida State University Seminoles. He enjoyed gardening, tending to his grapes-that the squirrels kept devouring, being out in nature, going for walks, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. He loved and spoiled his little dogs, Pebbles and Mini.

We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them… as they prepared for their long journey and waved good-bye and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God.

-Ronald Reagan