Kathleen V Smith

Kathleen Smith, 76, of Avon Park, FL went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 17, 2022, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lathan Smith. Kathleen was born in Binghamton, NY, and moved to Avon Park with her mother and two sisters when she was 11 years old and stayed here the remainder of her life. She met the love of her life, Lathan, in high school. They were engaged and married shortly after graduation and spent the next 53 years together before his passing. Kathleen is survived by her adoring sister, Carol Gower, of Avon Park; 2 sons, Lathan (Dawn) Smith of Apopka, FL, and Bart (Stephanie) Smith of Palatka, FL; 11 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Kathleen and Lathan built an amazing life for themselves in Avon Park, serving this community for over 40 years in the upholstery business. They were notorious for offering help to many in the community, very quietly in the background. Their loss is immense and felt by many more than just those in their close circles. Their love was like no other, they were so completely devoted to each other, and Lathan never missed a moment to ensure that Kathleen was a happy wife and mother. They raised two amazing men that believe their mother hung the moon. Kathleen was an amazing mother who loved her boys more than anything. Kathleen and Lathan made sure they passed on their work ethic and love for people to their sons, and those characteristics are present in their sons to this day. After retiring from the business full time, the two of them along with their sister, Carol, enjoyed many a trip to see the world! Kathleen and Lathan spent their lives together living life to the fullest side by side. Kathleen took on caring for her love until his last breath. Their love is one that people only dream of emulating in life, it was timeless.

Kathleen shared an extra special bond with her loving sister, Carol, they were two peas in a pod, and you wouldn't find one without the other. You also never bought one gift that you didn’t buy the other, in a different shade of course! After the passing of her husband, Kathleen enjoyed traveling and spending special time with her sister, and her sister cared for her tirelessly and with the utmost care until her last breath. The love shared between these sisters was one that made everyone around them want to do better for their family. They shared an unconditional love that could only be matched in their love for Jesus.

To know the heart of Kathleen is to know her family, while often quiet in the background, she was absolutely the heartbeat of her family. The matriarch that held the family together. She never missed an opportunity to share in her family's milestones and relished in everything her children and grandchildren accomplished over the years. She was a mother and mother-in-law that made everyone jealous of the relationship and care she had for her sons-and-daughter-in-laws. In her later years, she was a grandmother above all else. She never missed an opportunity to brag about all the amazing things her grandchildren were doing with their lives, and no milestone was ever too small for Grandmom. From sports games, classes in college, to military service, Grandmom made sure everyone knew about it!

Kathleen’s passing will leave a massive hole in the hearts of everyone that knew her, but we all rest in the knowledge that she is whole, happy, and healthy resting in the arms of her Savior and reunited with her love in Heaven!

Services for Kathleen will be held at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Sebring, FL on Saturday, November 26th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Moffitt Cancer Center or a charity of your choosing.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

4001 Sebring Parkway

Sebring, FL 33870

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com