Mary Godwin "Nelle" Smith

Mary "Nelle" Godwin Smith, 90, of Orange Park, Florida, passed away August 10, 2025. Nelle was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida on April 6, 1935, and grew up in Lakeland, Georgia. She graduated from University of Georgia and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She was an artist and art teacher her entire life. She taught art at several schools including Orange Park Christian Academy for 19 years until her early 70's. She was an active member of the Orange Park Art Guild. She was a devoted Christian and shared the message of Jesus Christ with others her entire life.
Nelle was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Bobby L Smith Sr; parents: Andy Leamon Godwin and Cora Lee Conner; siblings: Jimmy Godwin, Betty Lavender and Sally Giddens; daughter Kristina Guiney.
Surviving family members include children: Bobby L Smith Jr., Ronald S Smith (Lorraine) and Marsha Miller; grandchildren: Mark Miller, Chance Craven (Katie), Justin Smith, Angela Crandall (Clayton), Brandi Cheney, Aaron Smith, Starr Leigh, Stephen Figgs; and twelve great grandchildren.
To honor Nelle, services will be held at Jacksonville Memory Gardens on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by her service starting at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow in the Garden of Everlasting Life.