Bobbie Ann Smith

Bobbie Ann Smith peacefully passed away July 8th, 2021. She was born September 25th, 1933, in Birmingham, AL to Irvin Cole Smith, Sr. and Naomi Marie Donaldson Smith. She graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville in 1951 and received her B.S. Degree in Recreation from the University of Florida where she became a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She is survived by son, Thomas E. Higgins, Jr. (Sue) of Oviedo, Florida, daughter, Ann Marie Higgins McCurdy (Phil) of Jacksonville Beach, Florida and predeceased by sons Robert Irvin Higgins and Warren Lee Berghuis, Jr. and brother Irvin Cole Smith, Jr. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Marie Smith Prescott (Guy) of Jacksonville, Florida and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bobbie Ann was a Proud Member of Gator Nation and avid reader of all types of books but especially mystery and period romances. Bobbie Ann was best known for her adventurous spirit and curiosity for life. She had a quick smile and twinkling eyes that left an impression on everyone she met.

Even from her early years she loved adventure and travel, often travelling with her father around the Caribbean islands on his sales calls or with her group of women in the Young Mariners sailing the Bahamas.

Bobbie Ann taught Physical Education at Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach and Altamonte Elementary in Altamonte Springs, FL. She retired from teaching with over 30 years of service.

In her retirement years, she continued her adventures by taking trips including cruises with family and her friends from Pablo Towers. Bobbie Ann loved her time volunteering with the Jacksonville Beach Police and was an active member of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association up until her passing. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved to sit and listen to their stories or watching them play their sports and activities. She was a proud American and supporter of Republican candidates that shared her values. Another of her great joys was celebrating everyone’s right to vote as Bobbie Ann served as an election poll worker for years.

The Celebration of her life will be 11 AM, Friday July 16th, 2021 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach. She will be laid to rest with other members of her family at Riverside Memorial Park on Normandy Blvd. at 1 PM that same day.

In Leu of Flowers: Donations in her memory may be made to Jacksonville Beach Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (Kam Durham President) (904) 514-0323 [email protected] OR

Community Hospice and Palliative Care (Anne and Donald McGraw Center for Caring) www.communityhospice.com/give

Arrangement are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME In Jacksonville Beach FL.