Margaret S. Sirmons

Margaret Marie Smith Sirmons, 93, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Solaris Healthcare in Lake City, Florida, surrounded by love and with her family by her side.

Margaret was born on May 25, 1933, on a farm in Hanover, Pennsylvania, to the late Ligouri and Bertha (Huff) Smith. Her mother died when she was only 18 months old, so as the baby of the family, her siblings were vital to her upbringing. Her father remarried the late Bernice (Woodring) Smith and gave Margaret the gift of three additional siblings.

After surviving the great depression, the family moved to Palatka, Fl in 1943. It was there while waitressing at the local diner that she met the love of her life: Elmer Sirmons. They were married on July 27, 1950, at St. Monica Catholic Church. Margaret and Elmer had three children during the first years of their marriage while traveling for Elmer’s work with Southern Bell Telephone Company. In 1957 they settled in Lake City, FL, where they bought their first house for $9,000. Margaret was affectionately referred to as the “neighborhood momma” by the children and their friends. They settled into their days of raising their three teenage children when – surprise! – their fourth child came along. Elmer was in the National Guard and was often gone on duty, leaving her with the primary responsibility for raising the family. Margaret took great pride in being a homemaker, and if there were a Ph.D. for raising children and making a house into a home, she mastered it.

In 1972 they moved to Gainesville, FL, where she worshipped at Holy Faith Catholic Church for over 30 years. Her faith and her desire to plant and nurture the seeds of belief in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was her strongest conviction. Margaret and Elmer owned and operated Buck Bay Marine in Gainesville from 1985-1991. Margaret and Elmer worked tirelessly to build the family business until their retirement in 1991. Margaret enjoyed square dancing, horseback riding, cooking for her family, boating, fishing, riding through the woods, serving on St. Ann’s Guild, participating in the Telephone Pioneers, gardening, visiting the mountains, spoiling her animals, making crafts, and feeding the birds. Most importantly, however, she LOVED her children and grandchildren. Her world truly lit up when her first grandchild was born – being a grandparent brought her immense joy. Six grandchildren followed and then ten great-grandchildren. Her greatest achievement was being called “Momma,” “Nana,” “Granny,” and “Gee-Gee.”

In 2007 her husband of 57 years passed away. Although her world was shattered, she remained strong. She moved to Starke, FL, to be closer to family, where she was a resident for nearly 20 years before moving to Solaris Healthcare in Lake City in 2025, where she battled Alzheimer’s until she received her heavenly healing on August 1st. During her time in Starke she was active in St. Edward Catholic Church, and treasured her time with family. Margaret was a force of strength to be reckoned with. The words that best describe her are: devoted, selfless, and compassionate. She leaves a void on this Earth that no other could ever possibly fill. We are thankful for having her with us for 93 wonderful years, and are comforted that she is finally at rest with Jesus enjoying the love of her mother, father, husband, and other loved ones who passed before her.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, her sisters: Pauline Conrory, Alice Hammond, Catherine Stafford, Grace Byrd, Josephine Stallings, and her brother, John Smith.

Margaret is survived by her siblings: Janie Chapman of Palatka, FL, and Thomas Smith of Interlachen, FL. Her children: William "Bill" (Kristy) Sirmons, of Milton, FL; Barbara (Dal) McDuffie of Lake City, FL; Robert "Bob" (Vicky) Sirmons of Island Grove, FL; and Deborah "Debbie" (Danny) Parmenter of Starke, FL. Her grandchildren: Sondra (Ryan) McKeon, Shelly (Michael) Case, Barry (Kyungsun) Sirmons, Casey (Tony) de Moya, Shane (Shelby) Parmenter, Meaghan (Matt) Church, and Samuel (CeCe) Shuff. Great-grandchildren: Kennedy Case, Tony “LT” (Maddie) de Moya, Bryce McKeon, Barrett Case, Rylea McKeon, Harper de Moya, Hayden de Moya, Tinley Parmenter, Adaline Shuff, and Lillian Church. Great-great Grandchildren: Rhett de Moya and McKinley de Moya. She also had numerous nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

A private Mass of Resurrection will be held for the family on Friday, August 7th at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, Florida. A private interment will follow immediately after at Forest Meadows Cemetery, 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Solaris Healthcare for the love and compassion showed to Margaret while she was in their care, as well as Haven Hospice and Epiphany Catholic Church for their weekly visits to her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Margaret’s name to St. Edward Catholic Church, 441 North Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida, 32091.