Donna Lee Smith

Donna Lea Smith passed peacefully into the presence of her savior, Jesus Christ, on July 16, 2020. She was quickly followed to Glory by her Husband of 55 years, Stephen Harrison Smith. A Celebration of Life service for Donna Lea and Stephen Smith will be held at 10am on Saturday, September 19, at Lakeside Memorial Cemetery, 2450 US Highway 17 North, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 Donna Lea was born January 29, 1946 in Coral Gables, Florida. Her parents moved to Winter Haven, Florida shortly after her birth. Her parents soon owned many citrus groves in the Polk County area. She and Steve met and became sweethearts while in high school. Donna Lea was a member of the dance & flag ensemble and Steve was on the football team. She graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1964. Donna Lea and Steve married soon after she graduated. Their first child was born the following year and then they moved to Alabama where they lived while Steve attended Auburn University. They had their second child while living in Alabama. Donna was a devoted mother and wife and attended to her family's every need. Their family now included a horse, a dog, and two parakeets . She enjoyed learning to cook and hosting parties. She also enjoyed crafts, taking walks, and reading stories with her children. The family returned to Florida and resided in Ft. Pierce while Steve worked for W.R. Grace. Two more children were born. Donna Lea loved having a full house and being with her children. They moved to Kissimmee, Florida a few years later and another child was born. The Smith Family became the Delta S Ranch where children, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and many other animals resided and spent wonderful days together. Donna Lea began cake decorating during this time and created many cakes for other people's events. The 80’s arrived and they moved to Groveland, Florida where cattle and chickens joined their family too. Their sixth child was born in Groveland. Donna Lea became a pioneer of home schooling and established her own charter home school, Meadow Wood Academy, in Lake County. Eventually they moved back to the Ft. Pierce/Vero Beach area and remained until moving to the Lake Wales area in 2020. Throughout her life, Donna Lea was a prayer warrior, fierce protector of her children, and advocate of proper nutrition, vaccine safety awareness, and proper education for all children. She loved reading The Bible, doing needlepoint work, and knitting. Donna Lea enjoyed collecting antique books and tea cups with matching saucers. She was also a talented pianist and acrylic and pastel artist. Donna Lea was preceded in death by her parents, Helen 'Lee' Latrell Waters & Galen Dean Marshall, and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Smith. Donna Lea is survived by her 2 sisters: Linda Lorraine Marshall and Deborah Lynn Bolick (Rikki) 6 Children: Jere Lynne Shumate (Bobby), Kenneth Marshall Smith, Joel Harrison Smith (Marni), Julie Elizabeth Woodward (Peter), Michael Andrew Smith (Winona), and Stephen Matthew Smith (Melissa). 14 Grandchildren: Rikki Shannon Rodriguez (Jose), Jonathan Shumate, Morgan McLaughlin, Emma Smith, Nolan Smith, Jacob Woodward, Levi Woodward, Abigail Smith, Julia Smith, Hannah Smith, Kaitlyn Smith, Stephanie Smith, Savannah Smith, and Cali Carnevale. 2 Great-grandchildren: Brooklynne Roelofs and Brayden Rodriguez Nieces & Nephews: Amanda Artiles (Denis), Stone Artiles, Deana Redden (Mark), Aubrey Redden, Amy Lee McKee (Joe), Jonathan McKee, Timothy McKee, Grace McKee, and Adam Smith (Taylor). Cousins: Donna Quinlivan Schneider (Mike), Ronnye Sands (Ronny), Sherri McCardell (Bill), and many more. Arrangements are being handled by Oak Ridge Funeral Care located at 2425 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, Florida. The family and everyone at Oak Ridge Funeral Care thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and sympathy.