HARBERT SEABORN SMITH

Harbert Seaborn Smith was born to Harbert and Harriett Smith on April 20, 1930, in Tallahassee, Florida. On August 3, 2024, with his wife by his side, he left this earth to join his Lord and Savior for his eternal life in Heaven. Mr. Smith was raised in Tallahassee and graduated from Leon High School. He attended college at Florida State University and remained a loyal ‘Noles fan throughout his entire life. After his time at FSU, Harbert left town to start his career in the copy machine business out in Mississippi. When he left he vowed to become successful in whatever he endeavored to do, so long as it wasn’t the farming business in which he was raised. He strongly declared he'd had enough of that hard physical labor. But like the old saying “never say never,” after several years of success in the copy machine business, Harbert moved back to Florida and started a cattle farming business in Havana, Florida. Harbert was busy farming and raising his son Gene, when he met the love of his life, Jeannette, who was raising three young boys of her own following the passing of her first husband. Harbert and Jeannette were married in the same church that they met in. Their love of Jesus has always been the foundation upon which their marriage has existed. After many years in the cattle business in Havana, Harbert and Jeannette moved to Tallahassee where together they built several homes. Later in life, Harbert started Tanglewood Realty, again following in the footsteps of his own father. One of the stories Mr. Harbert loved to share was about a home that he and Jeannette built in Coon Bottom, and then they moved it all the way to St. George Island. That home still stands proudly today. Throughout their lives, it was common for Harbert and Jeannette to say with pride that they were true farmers, growing cattle and food on the farm, and then naturally growing a big family - and that they did! All combined, they had 4 boys, and then later their wives, 15 wonderful grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. Although the boys joke that one of the reasons Mr. Harbert married their mother was to make use of them as additional farm-hands, they also relish in the way he loved and cared for them, the children they went on to have, and now grandchildren of their own. Mr. Harbert loved being a grandfather and sharing the farm-life with his grandkids. He was also well known to show up with surprise gifts for the grandkids, most of the time it being animals of all sorts, including a calf or a pregnant goat. Although the parents might have second-guessed these gestures, there is no doubt that it certainly helped to shape several generations of their family who all love and care deeply for each other, for animals, and for the special people that come into their lives. Family has always been a top priority for Harbert and Jeannette. They took such pride in the family gatherings they had in their home, whether it was for birthdays, holidays, or no particular reason at all. Especially important to them has been hosting their family for lunch during the holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not only has that been a huge treat for their family members and their in-laws, but also for special friends who so enjoyed being present and feeling the true love of this family. All who attended these gatherings at the Smith home knew that before any of the delicious food was to be eaten, everyone present would join hands and hear the thoughtful “Grace” shared by Harbert; where thanks was given for his wonderful family and friends who were in attendance or elsewhere, for the food the Good Lord provided, and the fellowship that was had on that day. Mr. Harbert always judged the success of the gatherings by the number of people that attended. At Christmas he delighted in sharing the celebration of the birth of Jesus with a birthday cake filled with candles lit by his family members, and singing the “Happy Birthday” song to his Lord. He made certain the true meaning of Christmas was ever-present. Harbert was an amazing storyteller of tales he created from the memories he had from his childhood, and up through his adult life. The tales of his many adventures as a child, reflect the wonderful upbringing he had. Some of his stories seemed somewhat far-fetched, which has led to some “fact-checking” by the grandkids who adore him. Harbert and Jeannette have been members of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Tallahassee for 52 years, during which time Mr. Harbert taught Sunday school to both youth and adults. He and Jeannette were always sure to bring homemade brownies or other goodies for all the gatherings with their Church family. Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jeannette Smith; his son Gene Smith (Cecilia); his bonus sons, Mac Langston, Frank Langston (Elizabeth), and Danny Langston (Tammy); his brother Charles Smith; his sister Jane Crutchfield; 15 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Carmen Langston. There is no doubt that Mr. Harbert is up in Heaven sharing all of his wonderful stories. He will be deeply missed by Jeannette and his entire family, but the memories he created will live on in them forever. A Funeral Service for Mr. Smith will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Fellowship Baptist Church, 3705 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL. The Family will receive friends for a Visitation at the church before the service, beginning at 1:00 PM. The burial will take place at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Quincy, immediately following the funeral service. The family would like to give special thanks to the caregivers who have assisted Harbert and Jeannette tremendously during the past several months, including Tangee Allen (owner of Amyracles Senior Care, LLC), Keyonta Sampson, and Patrice Dawson. The family is being cared for by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee, Florida. 850.610.4444

HARBERT SEABORN SMITH

April 2, 1930 - August 3, 2024