Helen Louise Thomas Smith, 89 of Panama City passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2013. Mrs. Smith was born February 16, 1924 to the late Byron George and Helen Larson Thomas in Long Beach, CA. For over 40 years she was a member of Cove Baptist Church, OES Panama City Chapter 102, and Daughters of the Nile. Mrs. Smith was the Civilian Payroll Manager at Tyndall Air Force Base for more than 20 years before her retirement in 1987. She loved fishing, sewing and spending time with her family. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter-in-law, Patricia M. Smith.She is survived by three sons, Thomas D. Smith of Panama City, FL, Byron H. Smith and wife, Linda of Milton, FL, Mark E. Smith, and wife, Kellie of Panama City Beach, FL; grandchildren, Austin, Allison, Amanda, Dave, Christopher, Amber, Tracey, Scott, and Courtney; and great grandchildren, Dylan, Amelia, Pattie, Peyton, Bella and Kanan.A celebration of life will be conducted at 6:30 P.M. Friday, October 18, 2013 at Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel with Virgil Tillman officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be submitted or viewed at www.southerlandfamily.com. Southerland FamilyFuneral Homes100 E. 19th St.Panama City, Fla. 32405850-785-8532