Obituary for Iva L Smith Iva Lavania Bolden Smith, 91 Iva L. Smith, homemaker, seamstress, and traveler, passed away peacefully at her home in Starke, FL, surrounded by her loved ones on June 11, 2018. Born into a railroad family in Plant City on January 22, 1927, Iva brought 91 years of joy and unselfish love to her family and friends. Iva was just 15 when she met and married the love of her life, Xenophon M. (X.M.) Smith, a young man employed by the railroad.
Shortly after they were married, X.M. entered the Navy during WWII. For the next 40 years with the railroad, and 73 years of marriage, she dedicated herself to being a railroad man’s wife, an attentive mother, and an inspiring grandmother and great grandmother. Iva knew how to make a house into a home, even as she moved with her young family throughout Georgia and Florida before eventually settling in Starke.
The many children who grew up at her knee are bound by delicious memories of homemade ice cream and strawberry shortcake in the summer and scrumptious fudge and divinity at Christmas. She always joked that, depending on the humidity, her divinity could be eaten by the spoon or piece by piece, but not a single bite would ever go to waste. Before macular degeneration took her sight, she also took special pleasure in sewing clothing for her children and granddaughter.
These beautiful creations are still cherished by her family. Iva also had an adventurous spirit. After X.M. retired from the railroad, they took to the open road and joined the New River Ramblers, traveling across the country in their motorhome and camping with friends.
They would spend several months out of every year exploring the lower 48 states, Alaska, and Canada. The memories of those camping days, often shared at annual family reunions, will live on through her loved ones. An active member of the United Methodist Women, Iva was a faithful woman who not only enjoyed the simple pleasures of life but brought joy to everyone she touched.
She lived her life as the “well done, good, and faithful servant,” (Matthew 25:23), and now she has entered into the joy of her Lord and her final adventure. Loved ones who cleared the path for Iva include X.M, her loving husband of 73 years; her parents, Jerry and Mattie Lou Bolden; and her four brothers, Henry “Hank”, Jerry “June”, George, and Robert “Bobby” Bolden. She is survived by her sons, Barry D. Smith of Ohio and Michael M. Smith (Susan) of Cedar Key, and her daughter, Terri L. Smith of Starke; her granddaughter, Kari Smith Bastow (Matthew) of Chiefland; and her two great-granddaughters, Grace Caroline and Savannah Maria.
Services for Iva L. Smith will be held Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home Chapel, 620 Nona Street, Starke, Florida 32091. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, with service following at 11:00am. Graveside burial will be at the Crosby Lake Cemetery, Starke, Florida.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 Northwest 90th Boulevard, Gainesville, Florida 32605. Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 620 Nona St. Starke, FL 32091. 904-964-6200.
www. jonesgallagherfh.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Iva L Smith please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUN 14.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM DeWitt C. Jones Chapel 620 Nona Street Starke, FL, US, 32091 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Iva’s Visitation begins. Funeral 2018 JUN 14. 11:00 AM DeWitt C. Jones Chapel 620 Nona Street Starke, FL, US, 32091 Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before Iva’s Funeral Service begins.
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