Geraldine Smith, 83, of Port Orange, FL, formerly of Springfield, died on March 16, 2026, in the AdventHealth hospital in Daytona Beach, FL.
No visitation will be held. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield, with Pastor Gary Schwab, ThD, of First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield officiating. A funeral procession will line up at 10:45 at Plummer Funeral Home and proceed to the cemetery. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family.
Mrs. Smith was born May 24, 1942, in Du Quoin, the daughter of Gerald Lee and Betty Jean (Axley) King. She married Richard Smith on May 2, 1969, in the Elliott Avenue Baptist Church in Springfield, and he survives in Port Orange, FL.
She was known as “Jerri” to her work colleagues and “Dean” to her family. She loved tending to her flower gardens, camping, family trips and enjoying life with her family and friends. She retired from the State of Illinois in 2001, having worked in the offices of the Secretary of State and the State Board of Education. She also worked at the Illinois National Bank. Following retirement, she moved with her family to Virginia and then on to Florida, where she resided for over 20 years.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Smith is survived by her son, Barry, of Port Orange, FL; brothers, Charles King of Sparta, TN; Rick (Vickie Holmes) King of Du Quoin and Jerry (Jeana) King of West Frankfort; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Dimple King; sister, Doris Walters; and brothers, Ronald King, Steve King and Mike Oliver.
In lieu of flowers, the family susggests that any memorials be made to USO.org in support of our military heroes and their families. Online donations can be made at https://www.uso.org/take-action/ways-to-support.
Condolences may be left at www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
