Frances Sercer Smoak

Frances Sercer Smoak was born in Columbia, SC, to Peter Edward Sercer and Marie Blaze on October 14, 1932. She graduated from Lower Richland High School in 1950 and was deemed ‘Most Neat’ and ‘Most Dignified’ by her senior peers. Shortly after high school, she married and lovingly devoted the next 49 years in marriage to Curtis Pinkney “Pink” Smoak, Jr. Together they raised five children with a fierce commitment to family. In 1973, Frances and Pink created a family-owned sheet metal fabricating business yielding 26 years of growth and success. After Pink’s passing in 1999, Frances’ loyal, hard-working and determined nature produced another 25 years of growth and success for the business, a business that continues to this day.

She loved classical music, history, the arts, and had a deep appreciation for unique antiques. Her favorite things to do included sewing, cooking, gardening, working (surprisingly), and (not surprisingly) shopping for those unique antiques.

Frances was a faithful child of God and a lifelong member of Saint Peter’s Church. She was an extremely generous woman and always willing to help those in need. She adored her parents and siblings and was eager to call or join in family gatherings. She loved sharing stories of growing up on a farm with her brothers and sisters in South Carolina, which is where her love of watermelon began. Her house was full of antiques, pictures, and memories to share with visitors. She loved to entertain, and you could never make it out of her home without being fed. Holiday meals were always a special treat because of Frances’ famous lasagna, fruit cake, and beautifully gift-wrapped presents. She had impeccable taste in everything and loved to share her treasures with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Curtis Pinkney Smoak Jr., sisters, Helen Antonia Ross (Rocky), Elizabeth Teresa Sercer and Caroline Anna Shirah Croft (Gene) brothers, John Warren Sercer (June), Richard Julius Sercer (Agnes), Ret. Col. Peter Edward Sercer, Sr., and Jesse William Shirah.

Frances is survived by daughters, Linda Stoops (Ron) of Peoria, IL, Shirley Drake of Columbia SC, Teresa Knight (Randy) of Columbia, SC, Maria Kitchens (Glenn) of Chapin, SC; son, Curtis Pinkney Smoak, III, (Farida) of West Columbia, SC; sister-in-law, Lesley Sercer of Columbia, SC; grandsons, Adam Smoak (J Manuel); Colin Kitchens, Aidan Kitchens; granddaughters, Jennifer Naumann (Rawdon), Amy Owings, Melanie Drake, Shannon Olsson (Rickard), Ashley Shull (Abi), Caitlin Patrick (Daniel), Afton Kitchens; great-granddaughters, Taylor Owings, Madison Owings, Gabriella Shull, Adeline Patrick; great-grandsons, RJ Naumann & Marshall Naumann.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street. A Rosary will be said at 5:30, before visitation begins.

A private mass will be held at the Basilica of Saint Peter in Columbia SC for Frances Smoak. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Pink, at the St. Peter’s Cemetery on Elmwood Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Columbia SC.