Grace SMITH

Published on 30/06/2016

Mrs. Grace Smith 1927 - 2016Grace Smith, a lay preacher in the Methodist Church, teacher, loving wife, mother and grandmother died peacefully on Monday, 20th June 2016. Grace qualified as a teacher in 1947 and worked with classes of over fifty pupils for many years. She taught mainly in the primary sector but also worked for a number of years in a secondary school. She was highly valued as a teacher and held a powerful belief in offering the very best for the children in her care. Grace married Gordon Smith, ex-Headmaster of Clacton County High School, in 1948. In 1954 she gave birth to their first son, Jeffrey, and Andrew completed the family in 1957. Grace was always a loving constant and, as the family has grown, each new member has been welcomed, loved and valued. She adored her daughters-in-law, Kerry and Wendy, her four grandchildren James, Lauren, Martin and David and, towards the end of her life, she met her first great grandchild, Frank. The Methodist Church played an important and pivotal role for Grace, being a regular worshipper and lay preacher for most of her life. She qualified as a local preacher in December 1948 and continued preaching well after gaining her 50th Anniversary certificate. For many years she was a central figure at Trinity Methodist Church in Clacton. In addition to her lay-preaching role at Trinity, she was heavily involved in other aspects of the church’s life, including running the crèche for many years and leading eighteen young women in a choir called ‘Isaiah 6-8’. Grace was drawn upon by the Methodist Tendring District and she was often seen preaching in many other churches in the area. Latterly, she was a member of the Holland-on-Sea Methodist Church – a community that gave her great strength. In 1947, the church was instrumental in bringing Grace together with Gordon, her beloved husband of 66 years. They loved each other dearly and enjoyed their time together as well as sharing many hobbies including travelling, theatre and dancing. Today they are dancing together again… Mrs Smith's Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Holland-on-Sea Methodist Church on 8th July at 10.30 am.

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