Louise Gambill Smith

Louise Gambill Smith, 97, retired Clay County Property Appraiser, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2008 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 14, 2008 at First United Methodist Church of Green Cove Springs with Reverend Richard Shannonhouse officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Broadus-Raines Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to First United Methodist Church of Green Cove Springs, 500 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 or Community Hospice of NE Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257. Louise was born on July 23, 1910 to Delle Bell and Odie T. Gambill in Obion, TN. She came to Green Cove Springs as a high school sophomore in 1927. After graduating from high school she took a State teachers examination and began her teaching career in 1931 as one of two teachers in a two-room school house in Rideout near Doctor’s Inlet. She met her husband, Claude Smith there and they were married in 1933. After moving back to Green Cove Springs, she taught fifth grade for one year and first grade for the next eleven years. In 1942, during WWII, Claude Smith, the Tax Assessor, joined the Navy and went to war. Governor Holland appointed Louise to the office where she served from 1942-1944. She then ran for the office and was elected. She resigned in 1945 when Claude returned from service and he was re-appointed to the office by Governor Holland. Louise continued to work in the office with Claude until his death in 1958. She ran for the office once again, was elected and served as the Clay County Property Appraiser until she retired in 1975. Louise was always very active in Church and Community affairs. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Green Cove Springs, Woman’s Club (VIA), Japonica Garden Club and Eastern Star. Louise was many things to many people, but to all whose lives she touched, she will be remembered as a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, friend and a special “Auntie” to her nieces and nephews. Survivors include brother, O.T. Gambill (Catherine) of Green Cove Springs, nephews, Thomas Gambill of Green Cove Springs, Russell Gambill (Cecilia) of Washington, Jim Gambill (Dee) of Daphne, AL and Harry Gambill (Barbara) of Chicago, IL; nieces, Janice Townsend (Ernie), Brenda May (Ernie) and Anne-Marie Gambill, all of Green Cove Springs, Joan Kinard (Bill) of Tallahassee, FL and Susan Pruden (Brooke) of Suffolk, VA and numerous great and great-great nephews, nieces and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Harry and Raymond Gambill and sister, Marie Wright. Please sign the family’s online register book and view the DVD Tribute at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000. To view the VIDEO TRIBUTE, click the following link: _http://brfhtributes.com/LGSmith_April2008.htm