Johnnie Cox Smith

Mrs. Johnnie Cox Smith, age 90, of Jacksonville, died at home on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. She was born May 6, 1925 in Huntland, Tennessee to the late John Wilson and Rilla Syler Cox. She graduated from Huntland High School in 1943 and worked in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during World War II. In 1948 she moved to Jacksonville, where she was a homemaker for many years before going to work at the law firm of Jennings, Watts, Clark, and Hamilton. She retired after 30 years from an associated law firm. She found great joy in working in her yard and in cooking for her family and friends. She was a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Hayes of Jacksonville, and her daughter, Judy Thibadeau and husband Tom, of Decatur, Georgia. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, John Reinoehl and his wife, Kim Mann of Mableton, Georgia, Jenny Purtill and her husband, Allan of Huntersville, North Carolina; and Jason Chachos of Jacksonville; as well as her great-grandchildren, Syler and James Purtill. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren, Eren Thibadeau, Mark and Jenn Thibadeau, Avery and Andy VanPelt, and Gray Thibadeau; her step-great-grandchildren, Patrick Thibadeau, Ryan and Charlie VanPelt, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Steve Hayes, and her brothers, Oakley and Howard Cox.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm on Friday, October 2nd at Hardage-Giddens Hendricks Chapel, 4115 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, October 3rd at Hardage-Giddens Hendricks Chapel, followed by interment at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL.