Remembering Jerry Smith

Jerry Smith will be remembered for his warmth, his humor, and his stories.

A longtime member of the Florida Storytelling Association and the Storytellers of Central Florida, Jerry passed away on April 8 in due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis and a recent bout Covid.

He had recently served on the board of directors of the Florida Storytelling Association as well as guild president for the Central Florida Storytellers.

Storyteller Kay Pricher recalls that “Jerry kept our Storytellers of Central Florida together during the difficult time period of the pandemic when everyone was isolated. He arranged Zoom meetings and kept the talk light and filled with humor. He will be missed beyond measure.”

Many will remember him for the colorful way he ran the fund-raising raffles at the annual Florida Storytelling Festival in Mt. Dora, and for his tall tales, inspirational stories, and personal stories. He also was a Distinguished Toastmaster and was actively involved in that organization.

A native of Richmond, Va., Jerry and his wife Brenda moved to Winter Springs, Fl., in 2013.  A former schoolteacher, Jerry became the “Southern Storyteller” in 2008 and was known as a public speaker, storyteller, writer, clay artist, cartoonist and a lay minister.

A celebration of Jerry’s life was held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 6:00 pm at the Foundry Church, 1491 E. State Road 434, Winter Springs, FL. 

Jerry’s daughter, Melissa Smith Hadaway, provided the following:

. He had a way with words like no one else I have ever met. He was an artist, cartoonist, speaker, writer. He never met a stranger. He always went out of his way to listen to everyone he came in contact with. He made sure to make everyone feel that they were the #1 priority.

Dad was born on May 6, 1950, in Richmond, VA.

He graduated from Thomas Dale High School class of 69. He then attended Holmes Theological Seminary 1970-71 and graduated from Heritage Bible college 1973. He pastored churches in Virginia and N.C.  and then attended Campbell University and graduated with a BS degree in education. Dad was a 7th and 8th grade history teacher at Boone Trail School in Mammers, NC.

He move to Florida in 1991 and met Brenda my step-mother in 1993. On July 23, 1994, he married his sweetheart Brenda. They live in Florida until 2002 when they moved to Ohio. They lived in Ohio until 2013 when they returned to Winter Springs, FL.

Dad was an active member of toastmasters while in Florida as well as Ohio. I believe 20+ years He called himself the Southern Storyteller and has told story’s my entire life.

Dads favorite sports team was the Virginia Cavaliers, and his second favorite team was the Auburn Tigers. He loved basketball, football, fishing and anything that involved spending time with his family. He loved his 3 grandkids Katie, Jackson & Levi more than anything. They were his pride and joy.