Yvonne Mercedes Hunter-Smith

Yvonne Mercedes Smith, 71, passed on Monday, June 10, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida, where she lived for the last 15 years of her life, surrounded by her husband of fifty years, Lionel M. Smith, daughter Yvette Denise Smith, grandson, Dante Smith, and a friend, when her final breath came at 12:25 AM.

She was born to the late Ellsworth and Leonora Hunter in Panama City, Canal Zone and grew up in La Boca, Canal Zone before relocating to Paraiso, Canal Zone, where she graduated in 1960.

Yvonne Mercedes Smith, was an Early Childhood Educator in Long Island, New York at Head Start. She continued her teaching career at the University of North Florida Early Childhood Program until she retired in 2006. She also taught first grade at an all english school in Panama City, Panama from 1993 to 1999 before relocating to join her family in Florida.

She was an active member of the Jewish Messianic Community where she ministered with her husband for many years until her illness.

Yvonne is survived by her three children: Yvette D. Smith of Atlanta Georgia, Rossano S. Smith and wife Michelle J Smith, of Jacksonville Florida, Mauricio N. Smith and wife Nicole Smith of Boca Raton, Florida. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces a nephew, an aunt, several uncles, and a host of friends throughout the United States, Panama, Norway and the West Indies.