OBIT: Atlanta-Journal Constitution JANET GILLON SMITH
JANET GILLON SMITH Janet Gillon Smith, 77, of Marietta, GA, died Saturday, January 21, 2006 at her home, surrounded by her family. The daughter of Elam Randolph Gillon and Daisy Lee Jones Gillon, She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Forrest Leslie Smith, Jr.; a son, F. L. Smith, III of Holly Springs, N.C.; three daughters: Priscilla Gay Smith, Janet Loulie Smith, and Elizabeth Smith Carnathan, all of Atlanta; a grandson, Forrest Lawrence Smith of Durham, N.C.; a granddaughter, Gabriella C. Gonzalez-Smith of Atlanta, and a brother, Elam R. Gillon of East Point. Born at home in East Point on September 22, 1928, Ms. Smith attended primary school at "Frog Holler" (formally known Central Park Elementary School) and graduated from Russell High School, where she served as Editor of the student newspaper. She atteneed Shorter College in Rome, GA., graduating in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in music. She continued studying her entire life, earning her teaching certificate at Oglethorpe College, studying piano for many years at Kennesaw State University, and eventually receiving her M.Ed. from that school in 1990, when she was 62 years old. Ms. Smith taught school for most of her adult life. For many years she served as director of weekday kindergartens in Marietta, first at the First Methodist Church and then at the First Presbyterian Church. In the early 1970s, Ms. Smith founded a program, Wonderful Wednesday, to provide preschool education to children unable to afford kindergarten. The program has since expanded to serve three-and four-year olds five days per week. For over 20 years she taught in the Cobb County school system, most recently at Acworth Elementary, serving both at a lead classroom teacher and, later, as a reading specialist, a capacity in which her abilities were especially well employed. Quick to recognize the potential of computers for education, she prided herself on being a "sysop" in her school computer labs. She traveled extensively with her husband and played USTA and ALTA tennis until her recent illness. She divided her time in the last three years between her homes in Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Marietta. A memorial service will be held at St. James' Episcopal Church in Marietta on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 1 p.m. Following the service, a gathering to celebrate her life will be held at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wonderful Days at St. James' Episcopal Church. The Cremation Society of the SOUTH is in charge of the arrangements, 770-420-5557.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1/25/2006 - 1/26/2006.