Murlene A. Smith

Murlene A. Smith, 92, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of October 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on September 1, 1932, in Chipley, FL, Murlene was the ninth of eleven children born to Fred "Big Pa" and Julia "Big MaMa" Corbin. She married Princtiss O. Smith, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage before his passing in 1997. After her children completed high school, Murlene pursued her passion for caregiving, earning her LPN license. She worked at Jackson Hospital in Marianna and Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee. A woman of strong faith, Murlene was a dedicated member of the Alford Assembly of God and embraced her Pentecostal beliefs throughout her life.

Affectionately known as "Minnie" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Murlene had a heart full of love, always ready with a warm hug. In addition to her deep love for family, she cherished time spent fishing and tending to her beautiful flowers.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Princtiss; her parents; all ten of her siblings: Nella, Bud, Jake, Glenn, Bill, Curtis, Dalton, Cuelon, Madelyn, and Betty "Sunshine"; as well as her infant son, Timothy, and infant daughter, Judy.

Murlene leaves behind her two daughters, Sharon (Pat) Turner and Charlene (Steve Petorak) Smith, both of Alford, FL; her granddaughters, Trisha (Shane) Black of Athens, AL, and Amanda Braddock of Birmingham, AL; her great-grandchildren, Victoria (Martin) Moore of Auburn, AL, and Harrison Black of Athens, AL; and numerous cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Her daughters wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the excellent care their mother received during the final months of her life.

A service to celebrate Murlene’s life will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Alford Assembly of God Church with Rev. James Kelly and her grandson-in-law, Shane Black, officiating. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1 p.m. 

Interment will follow at Salem Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Harrison Black, Martin Moore, Brooks Horton, Logan Richard, Luke Richard, and Keaton Richard.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to Alford Assembly of God Church.