Michelle Smith Mannick's Obituary
Michelle Smith Mannick was born on December 31st 1945 at Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. to Harvey Worth Smith, Jr. of Americus, GA and Sarah Ellen Cronin of Dawson, GA. At thirteen months of age, Michelle tragically lost her mother to cancer and she moved to Americus, GA where she was lovingly raised by her paternal grandparents Myrtle Guy Smith and Harvey Worth Smith Sr. in addition to her Aunt Aileen Smith. She was greatly loved and enjoyed a childhood filled with lessons in piano, singing and dance. Her early education was in Americus and when her father re-married, Michelle returned to Atlanta, GA during her ninth- grade year. She was always an avid reader and an excellent student earning honors throughout her school years at the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and the University of West Florida. It was at South West High School in Atlanta where she met Larry Mannick who was her high school sweetheart and in the year 1966 became her loving husband of 56 years. When she was first married, she worked several years for Southern Bell in Atlanta and left prior to the birth of her daughters Nicole (Jason) and Krista (David). The girls were the center of her world and Michelle was always active in their schools and community. During their youth she was a home maker and was always present for her daughters greeting them each afternoon as they returned from school. The Mannick family relocated to Pensacola, FL in 1981 and Michelle was active in the Newcomer’s Club, the local schools and her new neighborhood. She served Historic Pensacola as a volunteer coordinator and then became the Operations Manager for the Discovery children’s museum located inside the T.T. Wentworth Museum. In 1991 Michelle was the Docent Chairperson for the Pensacola Museum of Art and later that same year became the museum’s first Curator of Education combining her love of art and helping children grow in knowledge. In 1994 her love of books and reading led her to a career at Books-A-Million where she was initially the Events Coordinator for the store. Her planning, creativity and talents in this field did not go unrecognized even in such a large corporate environment. Michelle also hosted special events in other store locations where she had the opportunity to meet various authors, politicians, historians, artists and even past U.S. Presidents. She eventually moved to the role of General Manager where she worked until 2007. Michelle was very proud of her accomplishments with the company and liked to share stories and advice from her experiences. Michelle taught her girls to always do their best when they tackled a project and she lived by those words. She was a fighter and a survivor who cheated death several times over the years. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2003 and lived many wonderful years carefully managing her condition. Michelle maintained several friendships that have lasted for decades with the longest being her best friend from 9th grade, Patti. Michelle and Larry lived for a time in De Bary, FL and then relocated to High Springs, FL. With the grace of God’s perfect timing, Michelle was reunited with her first-born child, Mark (Deborah) in 2018. Becoming a part of Mark’s life and family gave her great joy and brought her peace. She was a grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren.
Michelle was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing and went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior. She is reunited in heaven with her mother Sara Ellen and her family and friends who went before her.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd Street. A reception will follow.
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