LaViece Smallwood Moser

LaViece Smallwood Moser, 88 of Macclenny, passed away on December 23, 2023 after a long, fruitful and blessed life. She is a 5th generation Baker Countian and was born south of Glen St. Mary on February 22, 1935, at the farm home of her maternal grandparents, Thomas Brantley & Rosanna Lee Nora Fraser. Her parents were Carl Benjamin 'Dinty' and Blanche Fraser Moore. LaViece graduated from McClenny-Glen High School, class of 1953.
LaViece was an esteemed author of many historical and genealogical books including Salt of the South and Once Upon a Lifetime and many booklets on Baker County's history. She also wrote featured stories and a popular column for the Florida Times Union for 22 years. She was the first genealogical columnist in the nation to receive an "Award of Merit" from the National Genealogical Society. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LaViece is listed among the Prominent Professional Women in the 1982 edition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church Almanac. In 1985, she was selected to help lay the cornerstone for the Jerusalem Center for Brigham Young University (BYU) in Jerusalem, Israel. She envisioned, developed and served as Executive Director of Heritage Park Village, a three and a half acre historical park that houses Baker County's legacy.
LaViece was preceded in death by her former husband of 55 years Vincent Smallwood; second husband Mack Moser; parents; her only sibling William Thomas "Billy" Moore; and her grandson Jeffrey Saul Smallwood. She is survived by children, son Zackary V. Smallwood II (Shirley) of Macclenny; daughters Tami Smallwood Ellison and Teri Smallwood Looper, both of Jacksonville; grandchildren Tabitha Danson, Zackary Smallwood III, Shannon Coyle, Ashlynn Pronovost, Cassidy Smallwood, Ryan Ellison, Bree Carter, Taylor Ellison, Haley Severt, Kayla Smith, Rand Looper, and Troy Looper; great-grandchildren Dylan, Paige, and Brynlee Danson; Kelton Smallwood; Valor, Liberty, Verity, and Joy Coyle; Taylor, Evelyn, Adilynn, Henry, Jeffrey & Demi Pronovost; Aiden Smallwood; Emily Demoske, Alice Ellison; Aubrey, Ace and Gates Carter; Kaia and Grayson Severt; Nova, Sage, Atlas & Soleil Looper; Alexis, Dallin, Rebecca, Emma and Micah Smith.
Family and the gospel were the most important things in her life. LaViece proclaimed her greatest joy and happiness in life was being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her 13 grandchildren were the love of her life and 31 great grandchildren were adored. She leaves behind a large family of cherished friends and many nieces, nephews and cousins including a beloved niece, Gail Smallwood Capshaw.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on December 29, 2023 and a service will follow at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Macclenny. Burial will follow in Manntown Cemetery where generations of her family have been laid to rest in the shadow of a large family tree stone. In lieu of floral tributes, LaViece requested donations to be made to the Betty Sands Legacy in Education Scholarship. Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services 250 North Lowder St. Macclenny, FL 32063. 904-259-5700. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family's guest book.