Haines City, Florida – Mrs. Lela Mae Smith of Haines City died Sunday, October 14,2007 in Davenport, Florida. She was 85.  

She was born on September 18, 1922 in Willacoochee, Georgia to Jefferson Wilcox and Maggie Rowe Knowles, she moved to Haines City in 1939 from Georgia. She was a homemaker and seamstress working for Ridge Laundry in Lake Wales until it closed and then she worked for Fantasy World in Kissimmee. She attended Oak Hill Baptist Church in Loughman, Florida, and she enjoyed to sew and was a caretaker to all.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Cason Smith and daughter, Jeanette Henson. She is survived by her sons, Jefferson Lloyd Smith of Miami, Florida, Jessie Smith of Umatilla, Florida, Patrick Daniel Smith of Haines City, Florida; daughters, Juanita Skinner of Judsonia, Arkansas, Margaret Bohannon of Stuart, Florida; sister, Mary Lavonia Edwards of Haines City, Florida; thirteen grandchildren and numerous great and great great grandchildren.  

Visitation will be Tuesday October 16, 2007 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and services will be Wednesday October 17, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City, Florida with Dr. M. David Meyers of North Ridge Church, Haines City, Florida officiating.