Cecile A Smith

Cecile A. Smith joined her beloved husband, Jay, in heaven on Monday, December 26, 2016, after dealing with years of dementia.  She was born to Dolph and Hattie Anderson of Strengthford, MS.  She began her education at Jones County Jr. College and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from University of Southern Mississippi.  She dedicated her professional life to education, teaching English in Seminary, MS; Physical Education at Crestview High School; and as school librarian at Cherokee and Edge Elementary and Ruckel Middle School, where she retired.  At home she was a dedicated mother and wife with unbending, unconditional love and commitment to her family.  Mother was always in charge… but Daddy never knew.  She loved her church and especially church music.  She loved to sing praises to the Lord.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niceville and enjoyed singing in the choir.

Cecile was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Jay Smith.  She and Jay shared 56 years of marriage at the time of his death in 2002. She is also predeceased by sisters Vivian Cooley and Forrestine Burt of Mississippi.

Cecile is  survived by her children and their families:  her son, Bill Smith, and wife, Diane, of Valparaiso, and their children, Ryan Smith, of Boston, MA and, Kristin Kelley, of Orlando, FL ; her daughter, Janeane Williams, and husband, Herschel, of Laurel Hill, FL and their children and grandchildren, Danny Williams and wife, Angie, of Fort Walton Beach and their sons, Matt and Branden; Damon Williams of Washington, DC;  Zaria Williams of Pensacola;  Lalainya Steele and husband, Steve, of Fort Walton Beach and their children, Colten and Camdyn. Cecile is also survived by her brother, John R. Anderson, of Niceville and his children, Janie Rose of Navarre, John F. Anderson of Mt. Olive, AL, and Alan Anderson of Niceville and their families; her nephews, Don Cooley and Lonnie Stephens, and their families of MS; her sister-in-law, Mildred Brown, and her family of Natchez, MS, and numerous Smith family relatives.The family wishes to express thanks to the caring staff at Superior Residence of Niceville and to Covenant Hospice for their loving care. Special thanks to Pastor Mike McGough, First Baptist Church of Niceville and Pastor (Retired) Ernest Walker, First Baptist Church of Valparaiso FL.

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