Ollie Lee Smith

Ollie Lee Collins Smith was born on February 25, 1916 in Glennville, Georgia to Mallard and Zeffie. Ollie passed away on November 18, 2017 at the age of 101. She was raised on a farm but didn't like to pick cotton. She worked on their farm, played ball, and walked to school. At the age of 16, she had her daughter Loraine. When Ollie was 19 years old, she moved to Jacksonville alone. She stayed with her mother-in-law, and worked at a restaurant, drug store, Max Factor Make-up, and the Cigar Factory. From the time she first got a job, she was determined to have money in the bank. Without much education, she kept incredibly detailed records of household expenses. She later brought her daughter to live with her and soon met Gaston Smith, who was the love of her life. One of her favorite memories was taking Loraine to Jacksonville beach. Her family blossomed to nine grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and twenty-two great-great grandchildren.

In 1950, they bought their westside home, and joined First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, where she continued attending until she was unable to attend church. She absolutely loved to sing the old hymns, and quite often quoted John 3:16 and Psalm 23 to anyone who would listen. She would then flash her infectious smile and say, "May God bless you". She was an amazing cook and her husband would always say she was the BEST cook in the world! Her garden was the envy of everyone and loved yard work. She adored her family and was always cooking for her neighbors. It would be hard to say how many people she helped and how many lived with her and Gaston through the years. She volunteered at the senior center for years, helping older people.

Ollie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, eight siblings, her grandson Robert Loren Greene, granddaughter Becky Lynn Bryant, and great-grandson Jason Greene. She is survived by her daughter Loraine and her many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Boulevard. A visitation will be held one hour prior beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.