Mrs. Doris Pollard Smith

January 2, 1931 - January 15, 2021

Doris Pollard Smith left this phase of the world on January 15, 2021. If she is not now residing in heaven with the angels, no one is. Born Lela Doris Pollard on January 2, 1931 to Bertha Leona (Smith) and Roy Pollard, she was raised in the community of Springhead outside of Plant City, Florida with siblings Zelma (Davis), Daniel Pollard, Patricia Kay (Clemons), and Louan (Dubose). She thoroughly enjoyed learning, maintaining a spot on the honor roll throughout her primary and secondary education, being an active member of the 4H club, and completing a 2-year program of study at the Florida State College for Women (now FSU). She was a diligent worker throughout her long life, instilling her dedicated work ethic in her children. She started her secretarial career at the old Bartow Air Base (Bartow, FL) in the 1950s, eventually working at the accounting firm of Bella, Hermida, Oliver, and Gillman (Plant City, FL) in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and retiring from Lakeland Electric/City of Lakeland (Lakeland, FL) in c. 1995. Doris was an extremely loving and devoted mother, ensuring her children never wanted for anything during times thick and thin, even if it meant she had to do without. She made sure they graduated from high school and had the opportunity to pursue their higher education. She also saw to it that they had every chance to pursue their individual interests in music, sports, art, whatever. And, amazingly, she managed all this while working full time. A child could not hope for a better mother. Her children will forever miss her sweet, smiling, and loving presence and grieve her absence from their lives. Finally, but importantly, Doris had a deep and abiding love for and faith in God and Jesus that sustained her and only grew over her many years. During her elder years, she spent innumerable hours reading the Bible and watching sermons on TV and her iPad. She was a humble Christian, never pushing her beliefs on others, but always willing to share her faith with those who showed interest. As she approached her 90th year, she affirmed on numerous occasions she was prepared to meet her Maker. There is no doubt He is proud and happy to welcome her into His home. Our much beloved Doris was preceded in death by her doting husband, Jesse LaDon Smith, and the father of her children, James Eulon Grace. She is survived by her sister, Kay Clemons; her daughter, Janda Grace McBeth; her son, Phillip Eulon Grace and his wife, Kathy; her stepdaughter, Tracey (Smith) Jobes, her husband Kevin and their daughter, Caroline; and a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. May she forever sing with the angels, commune with her Lord, and be a glorious, shining star in the heavens to guide the lives of her children and all those remaining behind who had the privilege to know and love her. Doris will be interred on Monday, January 25 at Springhead Cemetery, located at 3390-4720 County Line Road, Lakeland, FL 33811. A closed-casket, grave-side service, provided by Hopewell Funeral Home of Plant City, FL, will begin at 3:00 PM. Masks and social distancing are requested if you wish to attend. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the service. A pre-funeral viewing will be available for immediate family only. For those unable to attend the service it will be livestreamed at facebook.com/HopewellFuneral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.