Vera "Nita" Juanita Smith

Vera Juanita "Nita" Smith, age 94, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2021. Nita was born July 31, 1926, in Belington, West Virginia to the late Frank L. Smith and Clara Colette Smith. She is preceded in death by her husband, Colonel William (Bill) F. Smith III; her sister, Rosalie DeHaven, and brothers, Robert Neal Smith, and John Max Smith (surviving spouse, Sharon). She is survived by her brother, William Edward Smith (Eloise); her children, William F. Smith IV (Diane), David Smith (Cindy), Diane Smith Brown (Jay), and James Smith (Grace); her grandchildren, Brittany Hastings (Dominic), Aaron Smith (Amanda), Steven Smith, Thomas Smith (Allison), Rebecca Brown, Allison Spurrier (Mathew), Bobby Smith (Stephanie), and Joshua Smith; her great grandchildren, Stella Smith and Easton Smith, and many extended family members and friends. Nita grew up in Cumberland, Maryland. She graduated from Fort Hill High School and attended West Virginia University, where she received a degree in nursing. Nita was a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, admirably serving as an Air Evac Nurse in the Korean War. She spent two years in active duty followed by four years in the Air Force Reserve. After raising her four children, Nita returned to her nursing career, working for Bayfront Hospital and the Pinellas County Health Department. She retired as a public health nurse, but continued to serve through retirement, volunteering time at her church. The family will receive guests for a visitation on Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 10-11am at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, located at 2201 Dr. M.L.K. Jr St North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33704. A graveside service will follow at Florida National Cemetery at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, #420 Rockville, MD. 20850 or donate www.donate.fisherhouse.org