Julia Mae Smashion

Smashion~ Ms. Julia Mae Smashion was born May 6, 1944 in Beaufort, South Carolina to the late Mr. Alex Smalls, Jr. and the late Mrs. Lucille Smith.  On January 6, 2022, a little after 3:00p.m., she was called home peacefully; Julia Mae departed this life with her daughter, Nicole, and oldest granddaughter, Tanisha, at her side.

She attended public school in Beaufort County before she located as a teenager to East Orange, New Jersey to live with her aunt, Henrietta Jones.  While there, Julia Mae worked and helped run a family restaurant while attending night school.  She also worked at a clothing factory while living in New Jersey.  After moving back to the south, Savannah, Georgia in 1978, Julia Mae was employed with Allied Vans which she enjoyed; before becoming employed with Chatham County Public School System.  She remained there for sixteen years, until she retired in 2005.  Julia Mae became a volunteer at Seacoast Charter Academy in 2012, where she went every morning until 2020.

She was baptized in 1976 at Faith Temple Original Free Will Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey.  Julia Mae then became a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia where she was a faithful choir member and was in charge of the kitchen ministry.  After moving to Jacksonville, Florida in 2005, she became a member of Bethe Baptist Institutional Church.

Julia Mae was preceded in death by her father, Alex Smalls, Jr.; mother, Lucille Smith; brothers, Leroy Smashum and Willie Smith.  She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Lisa Smashum (Andre) of Savannah, Georgia, Nicole Smashion of Jacksonville, Florida; special daughters, Alicia Felton, Sherrice Baccus-Etienne (Louis) of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Tanisha Baker, Andrea Baker of Savannah, Georgia, Erik Carter of Jacksonville, Florida; special grandchildren, Jaka’da Etienne, Jabir’ Etienne, Jayden Etienne of Jacksonville, Florida; great grandchild, Alayna Baker of Savannah, Georgia; brothers and sisters, John Smalls (Laverne) of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, Frank Smalls, Sr. (Louise) of Enterprise, Alabama, Robert Smalls (Martha) of Columbus, Georgia, James Smalls (Francine) of Aiken, South Carolina, Harold Smalls (Laura Germany) and Michael Smalls (Cynthia) of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, Michael Simmons (Stephanie) of Atlanta, Georgia, Maria Newton (Gregory) of Savannah, Georgia, Patricia Pinkney of North Charleston, South Carolina, Sarah Woods of Charlotte, North Carolina, Teresa Walker (Jarold) of Columbia, South Carolina, Ethel Johnson of Bradenton, Florida, Louise Jones (Roy) of Enfield, North Carolina; special nephew, Frank Smalls, Jr.; special friend, Mildred Benyard of Savannah, Georgia; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Mrs. Julia Mae Smashion, 11 AM Friday, January 14, 2022, at The Bethel Church.   Visitation Friday from 10 – 11 AM at The Church.  Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Dr, 904.924.9400. 

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