Esther Smith

Esther Smith, 104, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, surrounded by friends at her home in Lakeland, Florida.

She was born June 19, 1920 in Asheville, North Carolina, to Major and Mrs. Glen Washburn, Salvation Army Officers.

Esther spent 17 years of her adult life as an Officer in the Salvation Army, in several appointments in the South. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught in Florida and Michigan, and overseas in Okinawa and Germany for the Department of Defense U.S. Dependent Schools. After retiring, she served as a Lay Missionary teacher for the Salvation Army in Korea and Russia.

In 2003, she married Salvation Army Brigadier Luther Smith, who received the high distinction of The Order of the Founder award with The Salvation Army, and moved to Birmingham, Alabama. After his death in 2011, she returned to Lakeland, Florida where she was active in the local Salvation Army and was a volunteer at Oakbridge Healthcare Center.

Esther is survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Violet (Ira) Keeler; brothers, Wycliffe “Whitey” (Patricia) Washburn and Leroy (Louise) Washburn; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024 in The Salvation Army, 2000 Court Street, Port Huron, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Major Aaron Ortman will officiate.

Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fort Gratiot Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com