Patricia Lee McDaniel Smith

Patricia Lee McDaniel Smith passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on September 16,2026.

 Patricia was born in Vero Beach, Florida on October 13, 1948 to Rufus and Erma McDaniel. She graduated from Vero Beach High school and later received certification in Early Childhood Development. She married the love of her life, Dennis Smith on March 15, 1969. They settled in Winter Beach, Florida early in their marriage and later moved to Jasper, Florida. 

They were blessed in life with two children and five grandchildren. Patricia had a natural affinity for children and taught many pre-K and young children in church, daycares, christian schools, and homeschooled three of her grandchildren of which are college graduates. Her nurturing and caring nature produced many highly successful students, many of which from Little Learners Daycare in Jasper. She was known and loved by many as “Ms. Pat”, “Nana Pat”, or “Nana”. 

She was a devoted member of Divonia Baptist Church where she attended with her husband who is a Deacon and treasured her church family and friends. Patricia was the eldest daughter of 5 children and had a large extended family where she shared the responsibilities of taking care of the younger children. Her favorite pastimes were spending time with her husband and being a Nana to her grandchildren on their farm. She credited a long and happy life with always putting God first in everything she did and if you ever asked her where she wanted to go she would always say anywhere her husband was. Her home was always warm and inviting and filled with many years of love and laughter. 

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Erma McDaniel of Jasper. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dennis Smith of Jasper; her two children Kim (Jim) Bunting and Sam (Kelly) Smith; her five beloved grandchildren Jacob (Rachel) Bunting, Rachel Bunting, Logan Bunting, and Noah and Kaylee Smith; and her four siblings Randy (Ann) McDaniel, Donna (Larry) Stubbs, Anita (Tom) Stubbs-Hempstead, and Joyce Ross. 

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Divonia Baptist Church in Jasper, Florida. Reverend Ray Shaw will be officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10am-11am at the church. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Jasper.