Olivette Garr Smith

Olivette Garr Smith, 91, of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, widow of Charles F, Smith, Jr. died peacefully at her home in Pawleys Island, S.C. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Her Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2018 in First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting Street at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Olivette was born in St. Petersburg, Florida to Maurice A. and Matilda Etheridge Garr on October 10, 1926. After graduating from Winyah High School in Georgetown, S.C. she attended Winthrop College and received her nursing degree from the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston.

In 1947 Olivette married a dashing Army veteran, Charles F. Smith, Jr., and they made Charleston their home. While lovingly raising their two beautiful daughters, Charlene and Maureen, she continued her nursing career part-time at Roper Hospital and then at the infirmary at The Citadel. In 2000, she and her husband moved to Pawleys Island, S.C. to be closer to their daughter Maureen. Olivette became an entrepreneur known as "Mrs. Zinnia," growing and selling zinnias at farmers markets, grocery stores, and restaurants. From 1947 until her death, she was a member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church of Charleston, but also worshiped and enjoyed the wonderful fellowship at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church. She served on the flower committee of both churches. She was a member of the Rebecca Motte Chapter of the DAR, The Garden Club of Charleston, and the Ladies Benevolent Society.

Olivette reigned as the ever stylish and gracious matriarch of her extensive family and filled every occasion with laughter. She insisted on preserving family traditions while ladling out heaping doses of love and affection. Devotion to family and a deep sense of gratitude were the defining qualities of her long and fulfilling life.

She is survived by her daughter, Maureen S. Hamilton (Dee) of Pawleys Island; grandchildren, Ashley W. Redmond (Mark), W. Charlton Wieters (Elizabeth), Forest S. Wieters (Justice), Richard S.W. Stoney, Jr. (Amy), David L. Hamilton (Lauren) all of Charleston and Lesslie H. Ray (Phillip) of West Palm Beach, F.L.; great-grandchildren John Andrew Redmond, Ellen Redmond, Elizabeth Wieters, Olivette Wieters, Hampton Wieters, Hadley Wieters, Michael Hamilton, Jack Hamilton, Adair Hamilton, Layla Hamilton, and Phillip Ray; a nephew, Maurice A. Garr, III (Pam); a niece Sally Garr Brodhead (Charles). She was predeceased by her husband, her daughter Charlene S. Wieters, her parents, and her siblings Annelle G. Pridgen and Maurice Andrew Garr, Jr.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. 53 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401, the Roper St. Francis Foundation, Designation: Rehabilitation Hospital, 125 Doughty St., Suite 790, Charleston, SC 29403, or Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church, 9967 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, 29585.