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Paula “Precious” Gail Romine Smith

Paula Gail Romine Smith, “Precious”, met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 6, 2024.

She was born in Winter Haven, Florida on July 13, 1952.  She graduated from Auburndale High School in 1970, where she was voted ‘Wittiest’, which is certainly no surprise to any who knew her.  Paula continued her education at Pensacola Junior College before beginning her career in the banking industry where she met the love of her life, Albert Smith. They married on March 22, 1978, and together they started writing their story that spanned 46 years, while raising their son, Benjamin Smith.

They lived in several places during their journey including Miami, FL, Florence, SC, Jasper, AL, and LaFayette, AL, before ultimately retiring in Rabun Gap, GA to be near her greatest source of joy:  her two precious grandsons, Brannon and Alexander Smith.  During their years in Jasper, she flourished as a business owner, operating multiple businesses in Jasper and Birmingham during the late 1980s through the 1990s.  The early 2000s took them to LaFayette, where Albert was called into the ministry for the next 12 years.

Paula wore many hats over the course of her life – daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin and friend.  She became known to many as “Precious”, and she certainly was!  However, her most cherished role was “Mimi”.  She prayed for those little boys years before they arrived and continued to after they were born.  They were the light of her life.

Paula didn’t tread lightly on this earth.  She loved fiercely.  She was a nurturer, protector, confidante, and witness.  She shared her faith and her love of God freely, rarely missing an opportunity to say, “I’m praying for you, sweetie” or ask, “have you prayed about it?”.

She will be forever remembered for her contagious laugh, her quick wit and ability to make others laugh, her love of music, signature dance moves, love of dogs, love of the water, be it ocean, lake, or pool, but mostly for her unconditional love for her family, friends, and God.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Louella Romine, and her dear sisters, Frances Hornsby and Margaret Ferruzza.

She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Albert Smith, beloved son, Benjamin Smith (Katie), two precious grandsons, Brannon and Alex, ‘big brother’, James Romine (Janis), layers of cousins, and a host of adoring nieces and nephews, whom she affectionately dubbed her ‘Turtleheads’.

She is loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on her birthday,

Saturday, July 13th 2024 at 2:00 pm Eastern:

Huguley Community Church

3921 32nd Street, SW

Lanett, Alabama 36863