Sandra Claire Smith

Sandra Claire Smith, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, after a courageous battle with an extended illness. Born on February 2, 1949, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Sandra's life was a tapestry of love, service, and unyielding faith. She departed from this world in Dothan, Alabama, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, wisdom, and an indomitable spirit that touched the lives of all who knew her.

Sandra's journey through life was marked by a loving partnership with her husband of 36 years, Wayne Smith. Together, they raised a family that included two children, Taylor Cruce and Alex Peek, who in turn blessed Sandra with four grandchildren, Laken, Destiny, Ryan, and Skyler, and a great-grandchild, Kaden. Sandra's nurturing love extended to her sisters, Carol Maier and Lois Greene, with whom she shared an unbreakable bond.

Her educational roots, planted in the nurturing soil of her hometown, blossomed into a fruitful career. Sandra's natural aptitude for numbers and her meticulous attention to detail led her to a fulfilling career in accounting. As the owner and Senior Accountant at S & W Accounting and Tax Service, Inc. in Marianna, Florida, she served her community from 1988 to 2015 with unwavering dedication. Furthering her passion for precision, Sandra worked with J. Trans as a driver data entry specialist until her retirement in December 2016. Even after retirement, her love for her vocation led her to work with Action Tax, where she continued to impact lives through her expertise and guidance.

Sandra's zest for life was evident in her myriad interests. She was a woman who found joy in the simple pleasures of life—whether it was swimming in any body of water she could find, crocheting Lapghans for veterans in wheelchairs, or embarking on adventurous travels to casinos in Utah, Oklahoma, Florida, and Mobile. Her love for boating on Lake Seminole was matched only by her enthusiasm for reading and her deep-seated belief in the goodness of humanity. "Every person she ever met left a little something in her heart," she often said, and she was known for her ability to listen and truly hear the stories of others.

Sandra's faith was the cornerstone of her existence. As a member of Southside Baptist Church and a founding member of Peaceful Assurance Baptist Church in Marianna, FL, where she diligently served as treasurer for 16 years, Sandra's life was a testament to her faith-filled spirit. Her analytical mind and loving nature were a beacon of hope and strength within her congregation and community.

The words that best describe Sandra are loving, analytical, and faith-filled. She embodied the essence of an inspirational quote by Helen Keller: "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Sandra's love has indeed become a part of the fabric of our lives, a cherished memory that will continue to inspire and guide us.

Sandra had the remarkable ability to make things happen, to turn dreams into reality. Her legacy is not just in the lives she touched, but in the positive changes she brought about in the world around her. She was thankful for all of God's creations on earth and lived her life as a testament to that gratitude.

A celebration of Sandra’s life will be held at 2 pm on Friday, November 1, 2024 in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. She will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park.

As we remember Sandra Claire Smith, let us honor her memory by embracing the qualities she exemplified: love, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her journey on earth may have ended, but her spirit continues to live on in the hearts of those she loved and the countless lives she enriched. Sandra's story is not one of an ending but a continuing narrative of love and faith that will resonate for generations to come.