Nita Marie Smith

Nita Marie Smith, 92, of Orlando Florida, peacefully passed away October 9, 2024. She was born on July 14,1932, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to late parents Clifford and Esther Newton. Nita had three siblings, Danny, Mike and Donna. They spent their early years in Cincinnati, Ohio. During Nita’s teen years, the family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where Nita graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School and met her future husband, James Smith.

Nita and James were married in Ft. Lauderdale in 1952, and their son David Wayne was born in 1953. They briefly lived in Jacksonville, Florida but soon moved back to Ft. Lauderdale where their daughter, Sandra Joan, was born in 1960. The family moved to Kentucky and Tennessee but eventually settled in Orlando. Nita was a homemaker and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother to her family.

Nita’s hobbies included bowling in several different leagues. She was a Girl Scout leader and volunteered in both her children’s and grandchildren’s schools. Nita was a loyal member of Retired Teamsters Local 385 for many years, serving as treasurer several of those years. Nita enjoyed a busy social life and loved to organize and plan get-togethers for family and longtime friends.

After the death of her husband, James, in 1988, Nita found love again with Harold Sauerwein. They spent over thirty years together, traveling the world and visiting family and friends. Nita and Harry enjoyed working for the Orlando Magic basketball team Giveaway Crew for over twenty-five years.

Nita was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, James, and longtime partner Harold. She is survived by one son, David Smith (Linda), of Ocala Florida and one daughter, Sandra Molina (Manuel), of Orlando Florida. Surviving grandchildren include Liam Gillmore (Robbie) of Boise, Idaho, Michael Smith (Amy) of Ocala Florida, Lindsay Homan (Nicholas) of St. Louis, Missouri, Melissa Molina (Clint Johnston) of Casselberry, Florida and Daniel Molina (Amanda) of Orlando Florida. Surviving great grandchildren include Makayla, Aidan, Karter, Finley, Madison, Mackenzie, Clinton, Jackson and Alexis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association using the link below.