Nancy Carolyn (Little) Smith

Nancy Carolyn (Little) Smith, 81, of Crestview, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and listening to her favorite song “Amazing Grace” on Saturday, June 9, 2018. She was born on August 12, 1936 in Deer Park, Alabama to the late, Mattie and Thomas Little.

Today heaven gained the sweetest angel. My Grandma left us today in the most peaceful way I could imagine. She was the kindest, most joyful soul I have ever met, but she was a strong woman as well. She raised 6 children in an era when much was expected of a mother. My dad, aunts, and uncles didn’t make it easy on her either. She had a fire in her when she was young that carried on as she grew older. We loved to hear stories about how she and my grandpa went off to Mississippi to get married and honeymooned in New Orleans. They would often pack a lunch and drive there on the weekend to listen to the jazz greats play. She and grandpa were married for over 60 years and tonight we can’t help but think about how he will be sleeping without his soul mate for the first time. Life is too short. We will never forget her laugh or how she taught all her daughters and granddaughters the power of lipstick and how she always wore red. We will never forget her walking around the house with her apron on being the quintessential southern hostess, making sure all have food and drinks with a smile on her face and her peach cobbler recipe is the best, although none of us will ever be able to make it quite like her. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Please pray for our family as we search for our path without her, especially my grandpa. Grandma, please watch over us and guide us from heaven.

~ written with love by her granddaughter, Jessica ~

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Joseph “Joe” P. Smith; children, Renee Budzichowski (Tony), Joseph “Buzzy” Smith Jr. (Leslie), William “Sonny” Smith (Trish), Terri Sasser (Kevin), Robin Carelli (Rob) and Mark Smith (Dawn); seventeen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Little (Dora) and sister-in-law, Betsy Smith. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Thomas Little, Jr and her best friend of over seventy years and sister-in-law, Maurje Little. We know they are rejoicing with Jesus in heaven together.

Interment will be in Deer Park, Alabama.

Thank you to Emerald Coast Hospice for providing such kind and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice of Crestview.