Milford Durwood Smith

Durwood Smith, of Orange Park, FL, aged 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Born in Geneva, Alabama, on January 18, 1928, Durwood was the second child of the late Augustus "Gus" Franklin Smith and Mamie "Pauline" Smith. He had an older sister who died as an infant and a younger brother, the late Forbie Smith.

At the age of 14, Durwood faced the loss of his father, who fell off a moving bus and succumbed to his injuries. This event forced Durwood to quit school temporarily to support his family. Despite these challenges, Durwood's resilience led him back to education, and he proudly graduated as valedictorian of his school in 1947.

Durwood embarked on a lifelong partnership at age 20 by marrying Flora Alice Goad, age 23, from Hillsville, VA. Their marriage, lasting over 62 years until Flora's passing, was blessed with three children: Linda McCall, the late Lester Smith, and Martha Tumelson (Jimmy).

Durwood began his career with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. He was drafted into the Army, serving during the Korean War. After his service, he returned to the railroad and simultaneously pursued further education by earning an MBA from Florida State University in 1958. Durwood continued his work with the railroad, which moved the family to Jacksonville in 1960. This move coincided with the year Durwood and Flora embraced their faith by accepting Jesus Christ, becoming active members of First Baptist Church.

After retiring from the railroad, Durwood embarked on a second career in education, devoting himself to teaching business studies in middle and high school. Following his career in education, Durwood was a passionate advocate for political causes in Clay County, founding the Political Action Committee "Citizens for Term Limits and Accountability" and serving on the Clay County Charter Review Commission in 2009 and 2010. Beginning in 2017, Durwood began to suffer progressively from Alzheimer's Disease and recently entered hospice care before his passing.

Durwood is survived by nine grandchildren: Tracy Dixon (Joshua), Dr. Teresa Saavedra (Alfredo), Thomas McDill; Ben Smith (Andrea), Natalie Burch (Chris), Aline Jester (Aaron Berg); and Lauren Miller, Parker Tumelson (Allison), Brooke Tumelson. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren: Delaney, Ava, Lyla, and Bayer Dixon; Maximo and Alessandro Saavedra; Simon and Sidney Smith; Hunter Burch; Anela Trotter, Joy Bishop, Acadia Berg, and Alaura Berg; Camryn Miller. Mr. Smith will be interred at Bethel Baptist Church, 1349 County Road 173, Graceville, FL 32440, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, faith, and service to both his community and country.

The visitation for Durwood will begin at 10:00 AM on April 1, 2024 at Hardage-Giddens RIVERMEAD Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Rick Crews officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, 1349 Highway 173, Graceville, Florida 32440. The burial will be at 3:00 PM (CST) with ARMY HONORS.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens RIVERMEAD Chapel, 127 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Florida, 32073. Please post words of comfort or memories to www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com