Jean Smith

Jean was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, the only child of Elizabeth Stephenson Carroll and John Phillips Carroll, USMC. She grew up in Independence, Mo., down the street from Bess and Harry Truman. She moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in 1955 and knew that she had found heaven on earth. She died on May 15, 2009, at the age of 83.
Jean was a founding member and president of Bonsai Societies of Florida and Bonsai Society of Fort Walton Beach. Jean was known world wide for her love of Bonsai. During her term as president of Bonsai Clubs International she was successful in her efforts to make it a truly international organization.
She introduced bonsai into the Florida Prison System at Stark. She was very proud of the fact that the bonsai program resulted in zero recidivism for those inmates with whom she worked. She had many loyal followers from this ministry. The program continues today through the efforts of Bonsai Society of Florida.
The National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., dedicated the Chinese Scholar's Studio in the name of Jean C. Smith. She received numerous honors and accolades over the years for her tireless efforts in the bonsai community. Jean was often described as "a force to be reckoned with."
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Edward J. Smith; daughters, Stephanie K. Harrison (husband Dan), Leslie P. Mackinnon (husband Bill), Conni L. Joseph (husband Dan), and Vicki L. Kistler (husband Herbie); and son, Stephen Smith (wife Robin). She was loved by all her grandchildren, most especially Whitney K. Schiffer (husband Charles), Lee Harrison, Peter Currier (wife Jaime), Keith Francis, Elliot Mackinnon, Annelise Mackinnon, Bronson Kistler, Travis Kistler, Matthew Smith, David Smith (deceased), Ryan Joseph, Brandon Joseph and Tyler Joseph; and great-grandchildren, Brittany Schiffer, Chelsea Schiffer and Davis Currier; her lifelong friend from the third grade, Harriet Lionberger; and of course, her many friends in the bonsai community.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 17, at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave. S.E., Fort Walton Beach, from 3 to 5 p.m. Condolences may be left at www.McLaughlinMortuary.com.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 18, at St. Mary's Catholic Church.