Gladys Gudebrod Smith (known to everyone as Ginger) died peacefully in her sleep the morning of August 15^th, 2022. Ginger was born on November 2, 1938 in Huntington NY, the first of two daughters born to Jane and David Gudebrod. Ginger excelled academically as valedictorian of her high school and college classes. She attended Hood College in Frederick MD. She married Frederick W. Allsopp II in 1960, and they lived in Orlando, Brandon, and in various Polk County towns before settling in Winter Haven Fl. She doted on her two sons Frederick (Chip) and David. Ginger returned to graduate school while her sons were still in high school, earning her PhD in education at Florida State University in 1980. Ginger both taught and served in the administration of Polk Community College (now Polk State College) for more than 20 years. Ginger and Fred shared a love for the Fl Gators and their boys. Fred died in 1988.

Ginger married Ernest Smith of Bartow Fl in 1991, and they thoroughly enjoyed two decades of world travel and adventures together. She and Ernest met at the local Rotary, where she was one of the first women in her chapter. She was an avid tennis player, and never met a craft or creative enterprise she couldn’t master. She enjoyed volunteer work with hospice and was a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Ginger loved being “Bom” to her grandsons Will and Henry, who thought she was magical. She was a surrogate “Bom” to Katie, Audrey, Julia, and Jake, creating elaborate “cousin parties” with Will and Henry. Ginger suffered a massive stroke in 2006, but she recovered beyond what anyone could have imagined, and she lived with support another 16 years. After Ernest died, Ginger’s sister Nancy invited her to move to a neighboring condo in Ocean Isle Beach NC. Nancy and her husband Bob folded Ginger into their lives at Ocean Isle Beach. Michelle Otte lovingly cared for Ginger in Bartow and in Ocean Isle Beach, upending her life to make sure Ginger was safe and happy.

Ginger is survived by sons David (Cindy), Chip (Leslie), grandsons Will and Henry, her sister Nan and husband Bob Gorman, nieces Liz and Meg and their families, stepdaughter Kathy Haley, and caregiver Michelle Otte. She was, quite simply, cherished. Services will be held at the Shallotte (NC) Presbyterian Church on Saturday August 20^th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Shallotte Presbyterian Church, or to your local hospice.

Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte