Mrs. Mildred “Bea” Chavis Smiling, age 86, widow of the late Solomon Grant Smiling, passed away peacefully, Monday evening at 10:12 pm on October 1, 2018 at Cape Canaveral Hospital after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family and faithful Hospice staff.
Born in Rowland, North Carolina, on June 26, 1932, she was a farmer’s daughter of the late farmers, Altamont Jerome Chavis and Callie Mae Smiling Chavis. Mildred loved to cook, farm, help people and serve God in North Carolina. She was chosen as a little girl because of her gentle strength, making people happy, bringing joy and blessings to all; to sit with women having babies, people sick or dying, and pick cotton for others. She was known as the best little "cotton picker" in town.
In 1958 she moved to Merritt Island, FL to Angel City. Mildred loved to work at the 60 Minutes Cleaners, where she pressed Walter Cronkite’s suits, Island Crab Co. and Wolfie’s Beachside Inn. Her job performance and work ethic were impeccable. However, she retired from hotel work in 1972 to be a loving and devoted in-house caregiver for 30 years to her paraplegic husband. Also, she cared for Jesse Fowler until she died at 98 years old. She was a joyful, loving and caring homemaker to her family, neighbors, dogs, cats, especially “Rachel”, a black cat of 22 years and “Russell”, a multi-colored cat, both of whom were treated like humans. Also, furry creatures that included ducks, chickens, birds, squirrels, and goats.
She loved living by the church, truly one of the founding Matriarchs of Merritt Island Church of God, where she attended for 60 years. Although pastors came and went, “Sis Bea” never left the church; her steadfast love in Jesus Christ never wavered as she waited for the next pastor to love, help and pray for. She faithfully cleaned the bathrooms at the church, cooked southern barbecue and fried chicken, deviled eggs, as well as her famous “banana pudding” for all the church gatherings.
Her home was opened to all who needed a place to stay. We nicknamed her place “Bea-Bea’s” Shady Rest, take off your shoes and stay awhile! Bea loved working in her garden; she could grow everything; vegetables, flowers and even “silk” flowers grew in her yard. Especially tomatoes, black eyed peas, butter beans, squash, cucumbers and okra. Most of all she loved giving to her neighbors, friends and family in need. Her brother Buddy Chavis told her, “Mildred, you would give your head away if it wasn’t attached to your body.” Mildred was recognized by President Donald Trump as an extraordinary giver to American Red Cross Charity over and beyond the call of giving to others.
She loved singing and enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel Music, classic hymns, Gaither’s old-fashioned hymns and praise and worship music. According to “Bea” Smiling her birthday was every day! Mildred “Bea” Smiling has truly loved and served God well, loved much, laughed often; her beautiful smile will forever be a cherished memory to all that knew and loved her, family and friends, and especially the people of Angel City. One of her favorite weekly activities was to eat and fellowship with family and friends; especially with Russell Fowler and Marvin Young!
She is survived by her daughter Sarah Mahoney of Merritt Island, FL, brother Buddy Chavis of Bennettsville, SC; 5 grandchildren: Amy, Sandra, Paul, Andrew and Ashley; 11 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives, church family and friends that will always remember “Bea’s” gentle strength, happy smile and how she brought joy and blessings to all of us in Angel City for 60 years.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, October 13, 2018. Viewing is one hour before her Celebration of Life Service (10:00 – 11:00 am) at Salt Life Church, 737 South Banana River Drive, Merritt Island, FL 32952 with burial following in Brevard Memorial Park (Frontenac). Afterwards, a reception and fellowship will take place in the fellowship hall at Salt Life Church. Family visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Friday evening, October 12 at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home (Frontenac).
Mrs. Smiling was preceded in death by her late parents and husband listed above; sisters, Fannie Rogers, Marie Epps and Julia Chavis Brigman; brothers, Shoney Chavis, Ethan Chavis, Buster Chavis and Lindberg Chavis; son Ronnie G. Smiling; James P. Mahoney, who she loved dearly as a son and also Deborah Kish, who she loved dearly, too.
Mildred “Bea” Smiling’s family wants to personally thank Dr. Santiago Leyte and staff for their 30 plus years of passionate medical care and Dr. Leyte’s deep compassionate medical advice concerning Mildred’s end of life care. Also, a personal thank-you to Cape Canaveral Hospice staff for their dedication and compassionate end of life care in keeping my mom naturally comfortable while honoring her final decisions concerning her end of life choices of “no Morphine” or “no Ativan”.
Next, a very heartfelt thank-you to family and friends who personally sacrificed their time, love, phone calls and visits to help me and my mom during her final 18 days at Cape Canaveral Hospital. These compassionate acts ensured that my mom was never left alone, but always with loving and caring people she knew.
A passionate thank-you to Pastors Titus Green, Mark Lewis and Richard Fuller at First Baptist Church of Merritt Island for their devoted prayers, heartfelt love and visits to Mildred, her daughter and family during this bittersweet transition of Mildred “Bea” Smiling into the presence of our "Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Also, passionate Thank-You to the Titus 2 Ladies for ALL their Prayers, Love and Support in making my mom's Celebration of Life more "Special."
Finally, a profound thank-you to Pastor Ken Henderson and Salt Life Church staff and members for all of their prayers, love, visits and support in hosting sister “Bea’s” Celebration of Life as one of the founding Matriarchs, where she wholeheartedly served 60 years as a devoted and dedicated member.
“Sis Bea’s” family closes with perpetual praise to God for keeping His promise that if you delight in the Lord; He will give you the desires of your heart. Mildred “Bea” Smiling transitioned “beautifully” and “peacefully” to her Lord and Savior, “Jesus Christ” on October 1, 2018 at 10:12 pm. She was ushered into God’s presence through His Holy Spirit with the Ten Commandments written on her heart and the Twelve Apostles shouting “Glory, Hallelujah!!!"
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