Claude Melvin Smith

Melvin was born January 18, 1942 in Pensacola, Fl. and moved to Tallahassee, Fl in 1959 to begin his lifelong career as a Tile Setter. He and his business partner, Patricia Manning, opened Manning and Smith Tile Company in 1976 and created a business where everyone who worked for them became a member of their families. Melvin was highly sought after in South Georgia and North Florida for his tile setting skills. Melvin continued to work as a tile setter until 2021. Melvin was known for his no quit work ethic and for helping anyone he could. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Melvin loved his family and all who worked with him knew him as a friend and were loved unmeasurably.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Love Smith; mother, Willie Bell Smith; and father, D.C. Smith. Melvin is survived by his sons, Danny Hutto and Bryan Smith both of Crawfordville, Fl.; daughter, Michelle Smith Johnston of Bainbridge, Ga.; grandchildren, Danny Lafferty (Ronnie), Andi Hutto, Colt and Case Johnston; and 2 great-grandchildren. Melvin is also survived by 3 sisters, Sharon Galavitz of Katy, Tx., Christine Hall (Richard) of Spartanburg, SC., Kathy Miller (Glenn) of Pensacola, Fl.; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Bill Hodge (Cherie) of Lloyd, Fl.; and his right-hand man, Blake Williams.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 am with a Memorial Service to follow at 12:00 pm at Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road Tallahassee, FL 32312 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32308