Lillie Marie McDaniel Smith, 96, of Titusville, FL formerly of Palatka and Keystone Heights, passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2023, surrounded by love and family. Born in Hawthorne, FL on June 2, 1927, to Lillie Mae Tillman McDaniel and Franklin L. McDaniel, she was one of eight children…3 girls and 5 boys. She was a 1945 graduate of Mellon High School in Palatka, FL and a 40-year employee of Southern Bell Telephone Co. Lillie was married to Herman Rogers Smith on July 15, 1950, and were blessed with 66 years together. Together they raised one son, the pride of their lives, Terry Charles Smith. She was life-long member of St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka and Telephone Pioneers of America. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. She resided in Palatka for most of her life and moved to Keystone Heights in her retirement years. On the passing of her husband in 2016 she moved to Titusville, FL to live out her remaining years with her son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Luci Smith. The move also put her physically closer to her beloved granddaughter, Teresa (Tish) Charlene Smith Lyle and family and she had joyous years of good family times. She has enjoyed boating, waterskiing, and bowling but her passion was golf. She played regularly until age 85. She and Herman traveled extensively searching out new golf experiences. She enjoyed time with family and took great pride in the many accomplishments of her son, Terry, granddaughter, Tish and her husband Kris and her pride and joy, great-grandsons Kaden and Gavin. She followed her extended family on Facebook and never failed to make comments on family posts until failing eyesight prevented it. Her final moments of joy were sitting in the backyard garden communing with nature. The birds, butterflies, squirrels, and even the lizards will miss her.
Until we meet again…
Lillie was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Herman Rogers Smith, mother, Lillie Mae Tillman McDaniel, father, Franklin L. McDaniel, sisters, Ida Louvenia McDaniel Waterhouse (Howard), Dessie Lee McDaniel Strickland (Joseph/Red), brothers, Bryan Middleton McDaniel (Peggie), George Alexander McDaniel (Mae), Sydney Franklin McDaniel (Glenn), Floyd Calhoun McDaniel (Evy), Donald Warren Lavelle McDaniel (Ruthie).
She is survived by her son, Terry Charles Smith (Luci), granddaughter, Teresa (Tish) Charlene Smith Lyle (Kris), great-grandsons, Kaden Michael Lyle and Gavin Michael Lyle, sister-in-law, Laura Lee Smith and many nieces and nephews.
The Smith and Lyle families will be forever grateful to the staff of St. Francis Reflections Hospice Center, Titusville, FL for the loving, tender, and compassionate care provided in Lillie’s final weeks, days, and hours. God bless you all, you are truly Angels of God.
Services celebrating Lillie’s life will be at 11:00am Friday, September 22, 2023, at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Pastor John Schafer officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. No visitation is scheduled. Flowers are gratefully accepted, or donations may be sent to St. Francis Reflections Hospice, 1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville, FL 32780
Memories and Condolences may be expressed to the family at Lillie’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home of Palatka.