Mike Smitherman's Obituary
Mike Smitherman, 71, of Carrabelle, FL died on Sunday, December 29th at Tallahassee
Memorial Hospital. Born on July 24, 1953, in Chattahoochee, FL, he was the youngest son
of the late Daughty Williams Smitherman and Murk Lee Smitherman. He is remembered as
someone who cared deeply about the human condition, who wanted to talk and read and
learn about what other people felt, thought, and experienced. He was a friend to many,
quick with a joke, an outrageous story, or just time to spend listening and learning about the
lives of others.
Mike loved growing up in Chattahoochee, FL and graduated from Chattahoochee High
School, class of 1971. He attended nearby Chipola College before earning his bachelor's
degree from Florida State University. He was a mental health counselor and social worker
for many years, and a strong advocate for mental health access in this area. Later in life, he
launched a second career in the grocery industry and was a friendly face for many at Publix
and the Carrabelle IGA. In both careers, Mike spent his professional life doing what he
loved most - meeting and talking to people and doing his best to help them.
Mike reveled in the beauty of everyday life - teaching his girls to call to the whippoorwills
and bobwhites around Lake Seminole, reading and discussing a great book, listening to a
favorite album, telling a joke, playing a perfect game of golf, driving southern backroads,
talking to strangers in grocery stores, swimming in the gulf with his grandchildren.
Mike, along with their mother Jan, raised three girls he was endlessly proud of - Sarah,
Lindsey, and Caitlin. He made them believe they could achieve anything they wanted, and
they did. He never missed an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments. Mike was
most proud, however, when they made him “Pops” to five granddaughters and a grandson.
He leaves them with many wonderful memories to cherish and laugh at in the years to
come.
Mike is survived by his girls, Sarah Smitherman, and favorite ex-son-in-law, Tom Robinson;
Lindsey Smitherman-Brown, and son-in-law, Nick Brown; and Caitlin Ubilla, and son-in-law,
Donoso Ubilla; granddaughters, Ava and Caroline Robinson, Matilda and Noa Ubilla, and
Zelda Claire Brown; and a grandson, Fisher Brown. He is also survived by his friend and the
mother of his children, Jan Gilley Smitherman, as well as siblings, Bettye Gatson, Murk
Smitherman (Cathy), Willie Smitherman (Arlene), and Debbie Young (Eddie) and his
beloved cat, Miss Kitty. His siblings, Harold Granger, Phoebe Cook, Ann Peters, and Margie
Murray preceded him in death.
A memorial service to celebrate Mike’s life will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at
11:00 AM Eastern Time at the First United Methodist Church of Chattahoochee, located at
18 W. Marion Street, Chattahoochee, Florida 32324. Reverend Mike Hutcherson
officiating. The family invites all who knew him to join them in honoring his memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist
Church of Chattahoochee, 18 W. Marion St., Chattahoochee, FL 32324, or to Friends of the
Franklin County Public Library - Carrabelle Branch, 311 St. James Avenue SE, Carrabelle,
FL 32322.
What’s your fondest memory of Mike?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mike?
Share a story where Mike's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mike you’ll never forget.
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