Thetta Elizabeth (Ginn) Smith

Thetta Elizabeth Ginn Smith

December 24, 1952 - June 18, 2024

Thetta Elizabeth Ginn Smith, 71, of DeLand, Florida transitioned from her earthly home to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

The sweet, effervescent, and beautiful Mrs. Thetta Elizabeth Ginn Smith was born on December 24, 1952, in St. Augustine, FL and was one of seven children to loving parents Nathaniel and Katie B. Ginn. Mrs. Thetta Smith was a skilled clarinet player who shared her gifts while attending Richard J. Murray High School and participating in the Murray High School marching band.  She was a graduate of St. Augustine High School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Bethune Cookman College now known as Bethune Cookman University, where she met and married Peter Onwuemeli. They had two daughters, Petrina and Caroline, and co-parented amicably after 24 years of marriage.

Mrs. Thetta Smith, a longtime Daytona Beach resident, worked as an administrative attendance assistant clerk at Campbell Middle School for 30 years. She also served as a dorm directress at Bethune Cookman University for over 18 years and during the summer months she would oversee a group of students, who participated in the Embry Riddle Upward Bound Program.  A devout Christian, she was an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Hope Fellowship, and Tubman King Community Church. She was a member of Daughter’s of Sphinx, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, and the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons Inc. and Order of Eastern Star; Majesty 565, where she served as the chapter treasurer. 

In the fall of 2000, Thetta met Reverend Benjamin F. Smith, and they married on September 7, 2002. In 2019, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Her strength, resilience, courage, and perseverance in facing cancer enabled her to fight so hard that she took it with her when she transitioned to her final resting place on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

Mrs. Thetta Elizabeth Ginn Smith is preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Katie B. Ginn; brothers, James Ginn, Sr., Perry L. Ginn, Sr., and Carl W. Ginn; sisters, Sadie M. Wilkerson, and Annette G. Harden; grandchild, Brenya J. Smith; niece, Janice De Sue.  

She is survived by her husband, Reverend Benjamin F. Smith of Deland, FL; daughters, Petrina Onwuemeli of Deland, FL, and Caroline Onwuemeli-Peters (Donald Sr.) of Peekskill, NY; sister, Margaret A. Ginn of Clinton MD; grandchildren, Taylore Ada Elizabeth Smith of Ormond Beach, FL, and Donald Decastor Peters III of Peekskill, NY; in-laws, Ethel Ginn and Vera Ginn; nephews, James Ginn Jr., Dwayne Ginn Sr. (Mary), Larry Ginn, Kenneth Ginn (Kathy), Tony Ginn Sr., Anthony Harden, Perry Ginn Jr. (Holly), Patrick Wilkerson Sr., Carl Victor Ginn, Michael Wilkerson, and Spencer Ginn; nieces, Cassetta Crocket (Booker), Lacheryl Dirden (Everett), Anjornette H. Fulmore (Walter), Tarnisha Wilkerson, and Evette D. Ginn (niece/goddaughter); first cousins Renee Hall, Rhonda Robinson, Calvin Hall, Rodney Brunson, and Lisa Brunson; godchildren, Khaleesi De Sue “Pot Roast” (grandniece/goddaughter), Jeremiyah Latecia Brinson, London Campbell, and Eason Jackson; very close friends, Mrs. Myra Chester, Ms. Kimberly Matthews, and Ms. Celena Stephens; along with a host of friends and extended family.

The Staff at Alonia's Cremation & Urns extends our heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mrs. Smith.

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