Darciel Judith Jordan Smith, 96, of Blackshear, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, December 8, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Alma January 3, 1926, to Marvin and Ellie Jordan. Following High School graduation during World War II, she accepted a Civil Service position in Washington, DC. Having never traveled farther than Waycross from her Alma hometown, she borrowed $500, and boarded a train for DC. With no plans of looking back, she received a steady stream of letters from a soldier away at war, someone she had met and dated prior to her travels to DC. It was during that time before DC that she met, started dating, and began to feel affection for G.A. Smith of Blackshear. She would later say that G.A. had to grow on her, and that he did. They wed April 18, 1946 and remained constant companions for their decades long marriage. She was more than simply a homemaker known for her homegrown, freshly cooked meals and her legendary caramel cake. Together, Darciel & G.A. farmed and ran the local Jot-em Down Store on Georgia Highway 203, which was later known as Smith Brothers. It was during that time that the store supplied crop duster pesticides for spraying area farms. Planes would land on the highway and taxi to the store to be loaded with the pesticides. This always attracted spectators as the highway had to shut down for planes to land and take off.
She also worked as a secretary for former local insurance agent Stella Dixon. She attended Alabaha Free Will Baptist Church for 50 years, and she served as treasurer and taught her children to love and serve the Lord. In most recent years, she attended First Baptist Church until her health prevented her attendance. However, she continued to listen on the radio and was a faithful member of the Alert Sunday school class.
She cherished family gatherings, planned and impromptu, especially as they allowed her to combine her loves of cooking and hosting family and friends who might as well have been family.
One of her passions was serving as a volunteer at the Pierce County Nursing Home Auxiliary for 30 years. She joined sisters Joyce & Jerlene on numerous bus tour excursions and cruises to many different sights including her favorite - Hawaii.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her twin brother, Doris Jordan, brother, Willis (Bill) Jordan, two sisters, Joyce Crawford and Jerlene Crowder, and a son-in-law, Tommy Thornton.
Survivors include her children, Glover (Barbara) Smith, Barbara (Jim) Fischer, Cheryl Thornton and Pam (William) Wilson; 10 grandchildren, Nicole (Buck) Smith, Wendy (Thad) Dowling, Kelli (Chris) Crenshaw, Will (Jaclyn) Nimmer, Chad Nimmer, Stephanie (Matt) Lott, Jet (Amanda) Thornton, Kalli (Justin) Barber, Jason (Kathy) Bradley and Michelle Bradley; 20 great-grandchildren; special friend, Sandy Harden, Alma and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the First Baptist Church of Blackshear.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, from the First Baptist Church in Blackshear with the Rev. Dr. Bill Young, the Rev. Dr. Justin Gambrell and Chad Nimmer officiating.
A private burial will take place in the Blackshear City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Blackshear, 670 Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516, Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31503, or the Harborview Pierce Auxiliary, 221 E. Carter Avenue, Blackshear, GA 31516.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
