Obituary of Shirley Ann Smith

Shirley A. Smith, 87, of Winter Haven, FL went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, March 5, 2024. 

Born October 31, 1936 in Kennett, Missouri, she has been a resident of Polk County for most of her life. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Winter Haven. God and family were the two most important things in her life. 

She was a member of the East Polk County Board of Realtors where she served as Chairman of the Legislative and Political Affairs for 6 years.She had been a realtor for 50 years. It was a career she loved and was working with Century 21 Myers Realty in Auburndale. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey (Steve) Smith; and daughter, Pamela Siewert. She is survived by a daughter, Kelly Lane and her husband, Chris of Auburndale; son, Donovan Smith of Oakwood, GA; sister, Phyllis McGruder of Jonesboro, AK; 4 grandchildren, Ryan Whitman of Auburndale, Jessica Abbott of Homosassa, FL, Brett Siewert of Clermont, FL, Garrett Wattles of Orlando, FL; 4 great grandchildren Stone Smith, Alexis Smith, Harper Abbott and Robert Wattles. 

 A Graveside Service will be held at Auburndale Memorial Park on March 12th at 11:00am. 

Shirley loved being a realtor and she left us with a memoir of her time, and I would like to share that with you. 

Shirley Ann Smith left this world on March 5th, 2024 to be with her heavenly Father. She was born October 31,1936 to Denver and Bertha Smith in Kennett, Missouri. She was predeceased by her husband Harvey (Steve)Smith, daughter Pamela Siewert, sister Earlene Cooper Usry, sister Peggy Stephens and brother Earl Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Lane Whitman, Son Donovan Smith, grandchildren, Jessica Abbott, Ryan Whitman, Brett Siewert, Garrett Wattles and Great grandchildren Harper Abbot, Stone Smith, Alexis Smith and Robert Wattles. 

Having moved to Pensacola in 1959, she and her husband owned and operated a jewelry store until 1972 when, while visiting her sister, Earlene in Lake Alfred she was persuaded to move there, get her real estate license and become a partner, where she remained until her sister retired, at which time she began working for Century 21  Myers Realty in Auburndale until her health prevented her from continuing. She had been a realtor for 50 years and it was a career she loved. 

Due to  the long days of working, she was asked by a local newspaper what advise she would give to a new sales agent coming into the real estate market and her reply was "be sure you are married to someone who doesn't mind the hours away from home, will support your efforts and agrees to eat lots of frozen dinners." 

She has said many times her most enjoyable time in real estate was when she was sitting at a closing of a young couple purchasing their first home and turning over the keys to them to begin enjoying their "American Dream." Upon her 40th year in real estate she was awarded by the State of Florida an honorary title of Realtor Emeritus and she continued being active for 10 more years. 

Shirley was awarded in excess of 150 awards and plaques from Century 21 and reached the coveted Centurion Award which was presented to her in Las Vegas. This award was achieved by reaching the required plateau in sales as set by Century 21. She was a member of the East Polk Board of Realtors where she served as chairman of the Legislative and Political Affairs for 6 years. She organized a committee for interviewing all local political candidates prior to elections and bringing those candidates chosen to the Board of Realtors so they could then endorse those chosen.  

She was the recipient of the Quality Service Award, presented in Las Vegas, for her outstanding commitment to quality and dedication for customer satisfaction in 1998-2008. One of her prouder moments was receiving a Certificate of Achievement for being acknowledged Effective Communicator with elected officials. This was presented and chosen by an elite group of peers consisting of Orlando TV commentators, Professors from Florida Southern College and the Orlando Sentinel. She was chosen Realtor Associate of the Year in 1987 by the East Polk County Board of Realtors from a field of over 200 sales agents. In addition to her Personal Affiliations, she remained a consistent multi-million-dollar producer for most of her years until health issues slowed her down. 

Her personal interests consisted of serving as music director/ pianist at two local churches for a total of 37 years of volunteerism, refusing any renumeration, stating that 'if GOD blessed me with a gift, I would use it for HIS service and to bless others." 

Shirley attended Pensacola Jr. College and University of West Florida in Pensacola. For many years she was a member of Pensacola College Oratoria Society where she sang the Handel's Messiah in the college choir. She gave voice lessons until a throat issue retired her from this. 

She was a member of the FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE in Winter Haven where she sang for a period of time in the choir until she realized she had not been able to sit in a pew with her husband for several years and decided to take time to do so. She did not regret her decision, as her husband passed away suddenly within 2 years. 

She loved being a realtor but more important was her family who loved and supported her. She was a good friend and will be missed.