She was born in Mobile, Alabama to Willie and Gertrude Smith on January 13th, 1928 and was 94 years old.
She was the only one of six siblings to graduate from high school and was a true Alabama football fan. During her High school years she moved in with Charles and Fannie Beech who cared for her until she was an adult. She was also a member of the First Free Will Baptist church where she made many life long friends.
After she graduated from high school she moved to Pensacola ,Florida and worked at the Navel Air Station and retired after 30 years of service from the Navy Exchange.
Lota is preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Gertrude. Brothers and sisters, Marion, Nell, Wate, Lanette, Joe, and Jacqueline, and her Son-in-law, David Brown.
Bonus family, Charles and Fannie Beech, Charles Jr., Eunice, and Cecil.
She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Carla Brown, and Judy and Johnny Howell. Her grandchildren, Taylor Czikalla (Bob), Ryan Brown (Beja), Jessica Goodman(Jonathan), Dalton Petty ( Dominique), Brandon Howell, Carmen Shelton(Nathan). Great grandchildren, Penny Goodman, Benjamin Petty, Gage Shelton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday February 24th at 12:00 followed by Funeral services at 1:00pm at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. 1985 West Nine Mile Road Pensacola, Florida 32534.