1948
Gloria
2022
Gloria Jean Smith
November 7, 1948 — December 12, 2022
Gloria Jean “Gini” Sanders Smith, 74, of Orange, Texas passed away peacefully on December 12, 2022. Gini was born in Gainesville, Florida on October 7, 1948. She was the second of seven daughters born to Clarence Richard and Betty Ellen Lamb Sanders.
As a child, she moved frequently and lived in five states on both coasts. She was a 1965 graduate of Berkley High School in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. She only made one B on her report card, all the rest were A’s throughout her educational years. She worked in South Carolina for the FBI, an attorney, the Public Utilities Commission and then as a steno mask court reporter in Columbia, South Carolina. Early in her career, she placed first in the National Court Reporter competition. She later moved to Orange and continued her career as a court reporter and set up her own company, Sanders Stenographics, working in Texas, Louisiana, and federal courts.
It was in Orange that she met the love of her life, John Stephen “Steve” Smith and they married in 1993. She enjoyed socializing with her many friends at the Orange Boat Club. Her smile and laughter brightened the room, creating a community of friends.
Gini is survived by her husband of 29 years, Steve; his children Bryant Smith and Patricia Smith Lofton (Reagan); grandchildren Aiden and Maggie; sisters Shirley Bowe, Linda Sanders, Arlene Walter, Diane Shuler (Gerry), Hannah Sanders, and Claire Needham; and many nieces and nephews.
Gini was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Sanders, and her niece, Karen Lynn Wolfe Campbell.
A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor her are encouraged to make a donation in her memory to The Orange Boating Club, PO Box 659, Orange, TX 77630.
As a child, she moved frequently and lived in five states on both coasts. She was a 1965 graduate of Berkley High School in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. She only made one B on her report card, all the rest were A’s throughout her educational years. She worked in South Carolina for the FBI, an attorney, the Public Utilities Commission and then as a steno mask court reporter in Columbia, South Carolina. Early in her career, she placed first in the National Court Reporter competition. She later moved to Orange and continued her career as a court reporter and set up her own company, Sanders Stenographics, working in Texas, Louisiana, and federal courts.
It was in Orange that she met the love of her life, John Stephen “Steve” Smith and they married in 1993. She enjoyed socializing with her many friends at the Orange Boat Club. Her smile and laughter brightened the room, creating a community of friends.
Gini is survived by her husband of 29 years, Steve; his children Bryant Smith and Patricia Smith Lofton (Reagan); grandchildren Aiden and Maggie; sisters Shirley Bowe, Linda Sanders, Arlene Walter, Diane Shuler (Gerry), Hannah Sanders, and Claire Needham; and many nieces and nephews.
Gini was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Sanders, and her niece, Karen Lynn Wolfe Campbell.
A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor her are encouraged to make a donation in her memory to The Orange Boating Club, PO Box 659, Orange, TX 77630.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gloria Jean Smith, please visit our flower store.
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