Sarah Smith Obituary

Sarah Carol Smith, beloved daughter of the late Clyde and Irene Johnston, long-time Citrus County residents, passed away on Feb. 15. She was born on July 3, 1948.

As a student at Citrus High, Carol played the French horn in the concert band and was a Dancerette. In her senior year she participated in the Diversified Cooperative Education Program. Having completed her high school credits she attended class half the day and worked at Beverly Lee Apparel (owned by Sylvia Bryce) on Main Street before it was "New Old Downtown Inverness." While working there Carol developed her love for fashion and a keen sense of financial literacy. Upon graduation she attended the local community college, then opened one of the county's first pre-K/day care centers. Her creativity combined with her financial management skills made the school a success.

When her high school sweetheart returned on leave from Germany, they married and moved abroad.

Upon return to the States, Carol worked in the medical field and settled into a comfortable family life with the love of her life the late Leroy Smith.

Her siblings recall she always wanted to "sit around and crack a few jokes." She was creative, quick witted and always put family first. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Inverness, the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 2112, American Legion Post 77 and volunteered at Advante Senior Living Facility where her infectious humor brought joy to many.

Carol's happiest moments were on frequent road trips to West Virginia and vacations on the East Coast. And more recently cruises of the Eastern Carribean. Her family will always cherish the memories made in the mountains and by the sea.

She was a wife, mother, a grandmother, a sister and a friend to many.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Leroy Dale Smith, brother in law David Smith and her aforementioned parents.

She is survived by her son Steven Dale Smith (Zana), her brother Clyde Douglas Johnston (Kathie), her sisters Elsie H. Jones (Charles), Connie Pickett (Bryan), a Granddaughter, Matison Smith, and her "devoted sisters by marriage" Judy Jonstono, Virginia Campell and Marsha Watson as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.