Gracen Smith

1933 - 2010

Gracen Smith passed away Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, in a Louisville, Ky., hospital where he was receiving treatment for complications associated with a stroke.

Gracen was born May 6, 1933, in Orlando, Fla., to Maxine Buford and Silas Gracen Smith Sr. He and his family later moved to Tallahassee, Fla., where he was raised and graduated from Leon High School. Gracen joined the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduation, serving his country during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps, Gracen attended Florida State University.

Gracen married Ann Farquharson on Aug. 6, 1955, and they recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. During their marriage, Gracen and Ann celebrated the birth of nine children who brought them much happiness, along with 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gracen often shared that his wealth and love in life were his family as they brought him much joy and happiness.

Gracen was a resident of Panama City for more than 40 years. During this time, he worked in sales for various automobile dealers and was a member of Lynn Haven United Methodist Church. During his lifetime, Gracen was active in many community service organizations, serving in a variety of leadership roles for groups such as the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, R.L. Turner Little League, Gulf Coast Midget Football League and St. Andrews Kiwanis Club.

Gracen was preceded in death by his parents, Maxine and Gracen Smith; and brother, Joseph Rivers Smith. He is survived by his wife, Ann Smith; sister, Martha Cook of Tallahassee, Fla.; sister-in-law, Nancy Smith of Kings Mountain, N.C.; brother-in-law, Jamie Farquharson of Tampa, Fla.; son, Silas Gracen Smith III and his wife, Beverly, of Kingwood, Texas; daughter, Donna Ann Baker and her husband, Danny, of LaGrange, Ky.; daughter, Catherine Claire Garrett and her husband, Ben, of Lynn Haven, Fla.; daughter, Laura Fe' Evans and her husband, Johnny, of Lynn Haven, Fla.; son, Joseph Brittain Smith and his wife, Kathy, of Orlando, Fla.; son, James Buford Smith and his wife, Pam, of LaGrange, Ky.; daughter, Sharon Kingsley Hofer and her hus-band, Jerry, of Lynn Haven, Fla.; daughter, Mary Charlotte Smith and her husband, Al, of Gallatin, Tenn.; son, Byron Ashley Smith of Lynn Haven, Fla.; 21 grandchildren, Courtney (Stephen) Gosnell, Hilary Smith, Richard (Crystal) Hoskins, Billy (Stephanie) Bradley, DJ Baker, Kingsley Garrett, Katie Garrett, Lauren Evans, Garrett Evans, Anna Layne Evans, Brittany Smith, Jake Smith, Jesse Smith, Kirsten Smith, Riggs Tolson, Sara Kingsley Tolson, Jillian Smith, Adam Smith, Emilee DeMoss, Elizabeth "Lizzy" DeMoss and Ellie DeMoss; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Gracen's life will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, at Lynn Haven United Methodist Church. The family invites all friends to attend as we celebrate the blessings that were shared with us throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Special Olympics of Bay County, 158 Big Oak Lane, Panama City, FL 32404.