Ethel E Smith

Ethel E. Smith passed away at age 102 on November 19, 2023. Ethel was born in Oak Hill, WV to parents Henry and Irene Miller, graduated from Oak Hill High School, married her high school sweetheart and was blessed with two children.

Her husband was soon called to service in World War II and later was sent to the Army Air Force base in Sarasota, FL. During the war, Ethel worked for the government in Baltimore, MD. Nearing the end of the war she took her parents and small child to Sarasota for the winter and was there when her husband returned from service. Upon his return, they went back to WV where she was active in the Ladies Veteran Auxiliary and was President of the Ladies Republican Club.

The family later moved to Hamilton, OH where Ethel worked for the Champion Paper Company and later raising her two children as a single parent. After graduating from Hamilton Business College she worked as secretary to the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union, the Electrical Workers Union and as secretary for the Mayor of Hamilton.

Ethel met and married William Smith, and then in 1962 the family moved to Sarasota. She helped Bill get his business Bill’s Lawn Mower Sales & Service started, then went to work at Peek Traffic where she retired after 30 years.

Ethel loved children so after retirement, she worked at the Childrens Nursery at Meadowland Worship Center and also at the Community Bible Study Nursery. Ethel was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for over 50 years. She was a member of the Colonial Oaks Baptist Church.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill Smith, two sons Ronnie Navicki and Thomas Navicki, one grandson Thomas R. Navicki, three sisters Mary E. Smith, Christine Martin, Agnes Carlson and brother Harry Miller. She is survived by great granddaughter Candice Navicki and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be announced and held at Colonial Oaks Baptist Church, Sarasota.

Memorial donations may be made to Colonial Oaks Baptist Church in her memory.