Guynell Breazeale Smith

She was born in Pickens, SC in 1932 to Walter and Hattie Breazeale. She was raised on a farm with 7 brothers and sisters. She always spoke fondly about her childhood days on the farm which included milking the cows, collecting the eggs, and spending her evenings surrounded by her family over a dinner that usually consisted of milk and bread. Although she came from humble beginnings, she was proud of where she came from. Shortly after graduating from Easley High School, she married the love of her life, Ken Smith. It was a challenging first few years of marriage as Ken was deployed to Korea shortly after they were married. While he was away, Guynelle gave birth to their first child, Brenda Smith Marlowe. About a year later, Ken was shot in the leg, but it allowed him to return home to his family. They were finally able to start their lives together, and it was a beautiful love story. They went on to have another child, Kenneth Don Smith. They had a passion for traveling, experiencing new things, and being together. They were able to celebrate their 60th Anniversary before Ken passed.

Guynell was a successful businesswoman. She was a seamstress and worked for companies like Umbro. She eventually opened her own business, Sample Specialist Inc, in which she created prototypes of clothing, some of which were displayed on the Oprah Show. She supported our local baseball team by sewing the names on the jerseys for the Greenville Drive team. She ran her business until she was 80 years old, at which time she decided to sell it. Throughout her career and even beyond, high heels and fresh painted nails were part of her everyday life. Dressing up and wearing pink were some of her favorite things, she was always fancy and always looked beautiful.

Although Guynell was devoted to her career, her first priority was her family. In addition to her two children, Brenda Smith Marlowe and Kenneth Don Smith, she is survived by a son-in-law, Dexter Marlowe, two grandchildren, Christopher Daniel and Jennee Allen, a grandson-in-law, Jason Allen, and three great grandchildren, Kaidyn, Riley Hutch, and Greyson Allen. She demonstrated her love for her family in so many ways. She made the most beautiful clothes for her family, she made the most delicious meals for her family. Everything she did felt coated in love. And there wasn’t anything in life that her hug couldn’t fix.

She was a faithful Christian and loved God. Her faith gave her a strength and a happiness that was evident to everyone that knew her. There is a comfort knowing that she now is with her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her Jesus.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be Friday, February 9, 2024, 2:00 PM at Mackey at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville SC, with Rev. Dr. Mike Runion presiding. A burial will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels.