Claudia (Summers) Smith

Claudia Mae Smith, 87, born Monday, January 9, 1928 in Statesville, NC, peacefully entered into rest on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Villa Angela Care Center. A longtime resident of Columbus, Claudia’s greatest joys in life were babies and little children. Over the years, she had a strong influence on the lives of many families. She was the ultimate caregiver. Her face would light up at the sight of a child. Her influence can be seen in many of the adults present today. If she took care of you, you knew you were loved. Claudia expressed her love, not in words, but in nurturing, loving actions. Nearly every child ever placed in her care continued a relationship with their surrogate grandmother for several years. Claudia lived a simple life. Her needs were not material. She asked for little, but gave so much. As a result, she was showered with an abundance of love and respect. She received joy from giving joy to others. Claudia was preceded in death by her husbands, David Jonathan Summers and Frank Smith, father Claude Brown, mother Beatrice Miller, stepfather Pless Miller, brothers, Carlee “Sonny” Brown, Sr., DeWitt “Pop” Brown, Pless “June” Miller, Jr., Roscoe “Bob” Miller, and Shaw Miller, and sister Dorothy Rebecca Beck Miller. She leaves fond memories to be cherished by children, Joseph Summers (Jeannette), David “Lee” Summers (Debbie), Beatrice “Linda” Charles, William “Bill” Summers, Patricia “Daaiyah” Jordan, Gwen Summers, Jeff Summers (Dreidre), Elliott Smith (Linda), and Ron Smith (Melonie); sisters, Myrtle Frank Babysis Garner, Doris (Arthur) Norman, and Fronie Mae Ingram (Bill); and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members, special loved ones, and friends.