Hannah Cox Smallwood passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023. She was born in Conway, South Carolina. As the only daughter of Grier and Vick Cox, she was doted on by her parents and her three brothers. Hannah was a bright student, finishing high school at age 16. She attended Winthrop College and continued on to the School of Nursing Medical College in South Carolina where she earned a nursing diploma in 1948. While working at University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, she met her husband, Dr. Henry Clayton Smallwood. The young couple lived in New Orleans where Hannah was the Head Nurse (civilian employee) at Camp Leroy Johnson until military duty called Dr. Smallwood to Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City in 1954. The family remained in Panama City where they raised their three children, Susan, Clay, and Chuck.
Hannah was a loving, kind, generous and patient mother, always giving her time and attention to the best interests of her children. She was active in First Baptist Church of Panama City, was an officer in the Junior League of Panama City, and a member of the Bay Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She played bridge regularly and was a gracious hostess in her home for dinner parties, bridge groups, and family event. She loved to read cookbooks, try recipes, and discuss the new dishes she tried.
Hannah worked in the Medical Records Department of Bay Memorial Hospital from 1979 until her retirement. Hannah moved to St. Joe Beach in 1983 where she could often be seen playing bridge and lunching with the Red Hat Ladies. Hannah was a member of the St. Joseph Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the oldest female member of the First Baptist Church of Port St. Joe. After Hurricane Michael destroy her beachfront home in 2018, Hannah moved near her daughter and family in Spanish Fort, AL where she lived until her death.
Hannah is preceded in death by her parents, Grier D. and Vick Long Cox; three brothers, Dr. Jack Cox, Francis Cox and Paul Cox; and her dear friend, Harold Wilkinson of Stony Lake Ontario, Canada.
She is survived by her three children, Susan Fraser (Tom), Clay Smallwood (DeEtta) and Drs. Chuck Smallwood (Kristin); six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three nieces and a nephew.
A celebration of her life will be held at Long Avenue Baptist Church, 1601 Long Avenue, in Port St. Joe, FL at 2:00PM (eastern time) on Saturday, April 15. 2023. There will be a time of visitation with the family preceding the service at 1:00PM.
Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Remember spending the night at the Smallwood’s home as a child. Eating wonderful fresh vegetables grown by Dr. Smallwood and cooked perfectly by Hannah. Catching fireflies in the back yard. Wonderful memories.