Mrs. Susie B. Smith

Mother Susie B. Smith of Tavares, Florida (formerly of South Bend, Indiana) was born on August 5, 1940 in Schlater, Mississippi to Willie (Bill) Sutherland and Millie Johnson. Susie was the 3rd child of 10 which made her the protector of her brothers and sisters. Mother Susie B. Smith departed this life and went to be with her Father in Heaven on July 8, 2015, while in the presence of her devoted and loving husband of fifty-nine years, the love of her life, Elder Willie B. Smith. Mother Smith was a dedicated soldier for the Lord. At a very young age, Susie gave her life to the Lord and never turned back. During Susie’s life, she has touched many lives from near and far. Mother Smith was well known as a mother to everyone. There was not a child that would go hungry if she had anything to do with it. Susie has raised many children (not all that was actually hers) but to her, everyone was her baby. Mother Smith had a heart of gold when it came to helping anyone that was in need or even thought they were. Mother Smith was a dedicated Sunday School Teacher while a member of New Bethel Tabernacle in South Bend, Indiana. She also participated in Vacation Bible School as a teacher’s aide. The children loved the ideas she came up with for crafts. She was also a dedicated cook for functions at the church. Mother Smith was a Missionary during her years of serving God. She participated in the Missionary Choir where she sang her hit song “On Time God”. Mother Smith truly believed the words she was singing. You could also tell because when she sang that song, the Lord touched her to hit notes that she thought she couldn’t hit. In September 2010, Mother Smith and her husband moved to Tavares, Florida. Upon searching for a church home, they found the church that fit what they were looking for. They became members of Sunset Harvest First Pentecostal Church under Pastor Dustin Hughes which is where she remained a faithful member until her transition to be with the Lord. Mother Smith loved to cook and EVERYOINE loved to eat it. Susie was a cook that no one could match. Everything she cooked was amazing, even her experiments. Susie also loved to sew. Famous designers could not think of some of the ideas she came up with. All in all, Susie was one of the best homemakers around. On June 29, 1957, Susie married Willie B. Smith in Schlater, Mississippi. To this union, here legacy began. Mother Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Millie Sutherland, two brothers, Albert and John Henry Sutherland, a sister, Bessie Woods, a daughter JaNie Thompson, a grandson, Freddie B. Smith, Jr. and a great granddaughter, Antenia Young. Mother Susie B. Smith is survived by and leaves to cherish precious memories to: her husband, Elder Willie B. Smith; five sons, Willie B. Smith, Jr. (Patricia), Freddie B. Smith, Bryant Smith (Barbara), all of Tavares, Florida, Frank James Smith (Barbara), Jessie James Smith, all of South Bend, Indiana; four daughters, Delores Laws, (Marcus), Patricia Ann Henderson (Jeffrey), Beverly Ann Smith, all of Tavares, Florida; one brother, Joe Willie Sutherland (Geneva); five sisters, Eliza Boyd and Annie Strickland, both of South Bend, Indiana, Sarah Spratt (Issac a.k.a. Coota) of Schlater, Mississippi, Margaret Evans (George) and Rose Baggett, all of Eustis, Florida; thirty-five grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren, all of whom have their own special bond and fond memories of Mother Smith; god children, Rachel Lott, Joshua Wright, B. J. Carter; an honorary god child, Stacy Hunt. Upon Susie’s oldest daughter JaNie passing, she took on the role of mother of her grandchildren, KhaDeeja Smith and Marvin Thompson. Mother Susie B. Smith loved all of her family as they loved her. Her great-grandson, Quentin a.k.a. Q has brought out a special glow in Mother Smith’s eyes whenever his name was brought up or when she saw him. Brandon, Jr. another great grandson, sat by her bedside and encouraged her to keep pushing forward. Susie’s buddies/sons-in-law, Jethro a.k.a. Jeff and Marcus kept her feisty as ever. Mama will be missed by all.

Tributes

Mrs. Susie B. Smith

August 5, 1940 - July 8, 2015