Helen "Bobbie" Dezern Smith

HELEN DEZERN "BOBBIE" SMITH, 90 Helen Dezern "Bobbie" Smith, was born February 28, 1928, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to James Lapsley Smith, and Helen Dezern Smith. She went to be with the Lord June 17, 2018. Bobbie spent her high school years in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and met the love of her life Sonny at South Georgia College, in Douglas. The couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Sonny completed his college education. They moved to Winter Haven, Florida in 1950 and would reside there for 68 years. Bobbie worked for the Continental Can Company, as the receptionist, and switchboard operator, a job that fit her vivacious personality. She became a full time homemaker, and concentrated on raising their three children, Tom, Tim, and Tam. Her leadership skills, and bubbling personality caught the attention of Florida Citrus Showcase director Bob Eastman, and he hired her as the assistant director for the "Florida Citrus Queen Pageant". She worked with pageant director Bill Carter, and Florida Citrus Commission spokesperson Anita Bryant, and served as the official chaperone for ten different queens from 1967 to 1975. During her travels she met among others the Reverend Billy Graham, and received the key to the city of New York, presented by Mayor John Lindsay. In addition the Boston Sox moved their spring training headquarters to Winter Haven in 1966, and shortly thereafter Red Sox traveling secretary, Jack Rogers contacted Bobbie about arranging all the housing accommodations for Red Sox players, and personnel. She did this until the team left in 1992, and received no pay, feeling the friends she, and her family made was gratitude enough. She also coordinated the Red Sox wives luncheon, hosted a Red Sox barbecue each spring, and organized the annual ladies trip to Fenway Park. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Winter Haven. She is survived by her loving husband of seventy years Sonny, son Tom of Winter Haven, Florida, Tim of Nashville, Tennessee, and Tam of Boca Raton, Florida. Bobbie is also survived by sister, Garnet Williamson (Bill) of Floral City, Florida, and brother, Colonel Bud Smith (Suzanne) of Ocala, Florida. She was preceded in death by brother, Wade Smith (Jane) of Winter Haven, Florida. The family is extremely grateful to the nurses, aides, and pastors, at Good Shepherd Hospice for the loving care they provided for Bobbie. Services will be held Wednesday June 27, 2018 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care Winter Haven, 2425 Havendale Boulevard, Winter Haven, Florida 33881. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM, with the service to follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 3450 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida 33805.