Pamela Smith

Pamela Ann Smith passed away peacefully, in her home, on April 7, 2025. She was born December 28, 1945, in Hugo, OK and grew up as an Air Force brat, moving often, including overseas postings in Okinawa and Guam. Pam spent her formative years growing up in Miami, FL where she attended the prestigious Palmetto High School, and would later join Eastern Airlines as a flight attendant in the mid 60’s. It was during this time that she met Mike Smith, the man she would later marry. Mike’s job kept them on the move for several years, spending time in Baltimore, MD, Jacksonville Beach, FL, Tybee Island, GA, Wilmington, NC and Andover, NJ before ultimately returning to Florida in 1984 to settle in Atlantic Beach, where they spent the remainder of their time.

Pam had a zest for life like no other. She was always able to find childlike joy in ordinary things. She filled her life with her passions- her family, her friends and her faith in God. Pam was an avid reader and loved being a part of her book club since 2008. She loved traveling and often accompanied her husband on business overseas. There were countless scuba diving trips, a whitewater rafting trip on the Salmon River and the Camino de Santiago, a holy pilgrimage in Spain.

Pam’s happy place was in her garden, and she had a green thumb that would rival any nursery worker. The more varied and vibrant the colors, the better in Pam’s eyes. There was always a crossword puzzle on the counter that she was working on and more often than not, a jigsaw puzzle in the works on the table. She was well known as the Mayor of Magnolia Street. Living in the central house on the street allowed her to hold court often with her neighbors, to host endless gatherings and pool parties and to be a mother hen to all of her “chicks” that lived nearby. The Smith house always had an open door and was a haven to Fletcher Senators and Kings Point Mariners alike. All were welcomed as family. Pam never hesitated when someone needed help, shelter or love. Pam’s family, whether by blood or by choice, was her true purpose in life. She loved being a mother and a mother-in-law, but nothing filled her with joy more than being a grandmother. While she had so much love to give to all, no one filled her heart more than her grandson, Morgan.

After being a faithful member of St. Paul’s Catholic church since the 1980’s Pam was confirmed into the Catholic church in 2018 and found comfort in her faith. She was constantly volunteering at the church and was an integral part of St. Martha’s Funeral Receptions at her church. Pam’s faith and the unwavering love and devotion to her family were what allowed her to be at peace during the last several years of a life well-lived. Our lives are marked by two dates, the day we’re born and the day we die. Our lives are measured by the dash that separates those two dates. Pam made it her purpose to make the most of that dash.

Pam is preceded in death by her parents, A.F. (Andy) and Cora (Cody) Burge and her husband of almost 40 years, Michael (Big Mike) Smith, Sr. Pam is survived by her son Michael (Little Mike) Smith, Jr, his wife Anne, her grandson, Morgan Smith, her brother Steven Burge, niece Regina (Burge) Holl, nephew Andrew Burge and her close friend and cousin by marriage, Judy Sprague.

A visitation will be held on Monday April 21, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Quinn Shalz Funeral Home 3600 Third Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in St. Paul's Catholic Church, Located at 523 Pablo Ave, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with Father Valanarasu Irudayanathan as Celebrant. 

A reception will follow from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location details will be provided at the conclusion of Pamela's services. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BEAM, https://jaxbeam.org/donate/.