Esther Faith Smit, 78, Bradenton, died Jan. 3, 2003. She was born April 27, 1924, in Flint, Mich., and came to Bradenton in 1992 from Japan. She was a missionary to Japan for 40 years. She was a member of Grace Bible Church. Survivors include her husband, John C. Sr.; daughters Joyce Palacios of Flushing, Mich., and Judith Gabriel of Ashland, Ore.; a son, John C. Jr. of Houston; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. No visitation is scheduled. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Skyway Memorial Gardens Chapel in Palmetto. The memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Bradenton Missionary Village. Burial will be in Skyway Memorial Gardens in Palmetto. Bradenton Funeral Home is in charge.