SMITH (SORTORE), Jean
Mrs. Jean Sortore Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother died on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at her Decatur home. She is survived by her four children, nine grandchildren, and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Smith was born on March 3, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Arthur and Marcia Sortore. Jean moved to Avondale Estates, Georgia as a child, attended Girls High School and graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. degree in Home Economics-Clothing and Textiles.
She married Paul B. Smith of Olean, New York, on July 5, 1942, following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy.
After World War II, Jean accompanied Paul on his Navy assignments in Maine, Florida, California, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Washington DC, as well as overseas assignments in Iran and Guam. Jean traveled extensively, enjoying trips to Egypt, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Japan, Mediterranean, South America, and the South Pacific. In addition to being a homemaker to their four children, Jean worked in retail stores Woodward & Lothrop and Chickabee's for more than twenty years.
Jean always looked for ways to serve the community through memberships in the Breckenridge Garden Club, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church floral guild, Clairmont Place societies, Naval Officers Wives's Club, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Augusta National Golf Course patron since 1958, and lifetime member of U.S. Laffey Association. Jean and Paul were members of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church for more than forty years.
Jean was a gifted artisan, pursuing painting, pottery, rug hooking, knitting, book clubs, friendships, travel and was a crossword puzzle wizard!
She is survived by her four children: James Emerson Smith (Nina) of Columbia, South Carolina; Paul Bridges Smith Jr., (Patricia) of Atlanta, Georgia; Stephen George Smith (Judy) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Marcia Smith Anderson (Joseph) of Fairfax, Virginia and her loving extended family.
Funeral services at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church will be conducted at a later date. Jean will be interred alongside husband Paul on the grounds of the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church or a foundation/organization of your choosing.
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