Obituary of Marvin Smith

MARVIN A. SMITH, age 78, of Stuart, Florida died at his residence on Saturday, July 12, 2008. Mr. Smith was born on December 10, 1929 in Kathleen, FL to Mitch and Josie (Jowers) Smith. He was a graduate of Lakeland High School Class of 1948. On September 5, 1948, he married Laura Pearl Rigsby and began his lifelong career with Publix Supermarkets. He moved to Miami in 1959 to start the Miami Division for Publix where he opened the first Publix on the southeast coast. In 1983, they moved to Stuart, FL to enjoy life on the water. Mr. Smith retired from Publix in 1990.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of over 59 years, Laura P. (Rigsby) Smith of Stuart, FL. Five children; Terrell Smith (Joana) of Stuart, FL, Brenda Ewers (Byron) of Vero Beach, FL, Gary Smith (Marie) of Stuart, FL, Suzette Flores (Domingo) of Loxahatchee, FL and Tammy McFarlane (Mike) of Port St. Lucie, FL. Eleven grandchildren: Terrell Jr. and Natalie Smith of Stuart, FL; Stefanie Sessions (Charles), and Douglas Theall of Vero Beach, FL; Laura Smith of Stuart, FL; Danielle Fogel (Mike), Marisa Locke (Devin), and Juliann Flores of Loxahatchee, FL; Michael, Arielle, and Andrew McFarlane of Port St. Lucie, FL. Also Surviving are Five great-grandchildren: Kailee, Devin, Michael John, Dylan, and Michael Reese.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at the Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, 2880 Aster Lane, Stuart, FL, Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Forest Hills Funeral Home, 2001 SW Murphy Road, Palm City, FL 34990. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 1100 East Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996. A guest registry may be signed at www.foresthillsfunerals.com