Christina Lorraine Smashey-Smith

Christina Lorraine Smashey Smith peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 16 with her loving husband Jeremy by her side. She was born on February 2, 1976 in LaGrange (Cook County) Illinois. Christina is survived by her husband of 20 years Jeremy Colin Smith, her daughter Violet Jeanine Smith, her father Markus Wayne Smashey, her sister Melissa Jean Smashey Butzer (Jeffrey), and nephews Francis Ellis Butzer and Felix Ambrose Butzer. Christina was preceded in death by her mother Loretta Lorraine Draper Smashey of Powder Springs, GA and her brother Michael Wayne Smashey also of Powder Springs, GA. Christina asked Jesus to come into her heart to be her Lord and savior at an early age. She was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Bolingbrook in Bolingbrook, Illinois on Dec. 26, 1982. Many of her friends through the years were Sunday School and Youth Group class mates. She is a spiritual woman and a truly good wife worth more than precious gems as described in Proverbs 31. Christina lived her life following the law of love toward everyone and everyone loved her. She was last a member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in West Cobb County Georgia. Christina graduated from Harrison High School in Cobb County Georgia and the University of Georgia at Athens where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Shortly after graduation she went to work for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia, now of Historic Georgia where she was embraced by the staff and they became her second family. She loved working with girls and training them to become their very best self and mentoring new employees as well.Christina’s journey with the Girl Scouts was one marked by unwavering dedication, compassionate leadership, and a deep love for the mission. Her service through Girl Scouts was full circle, beginning as a girl for 3 years and continuing as a staff member & volunteer for 25 years. Her sojourn with the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia began immediately after graduating from UGA. Returning to the council in 2006 as a Girl Support Coordinator, she became a source of strength, inspiration, and guidance for all who had the privilege to work alongside her. In 2014, Christina accepted the role of Membership, Volunteer, and Program Support Coordinator—a role that changed titles a few times but truly served the heart of Girl Scouting. She had a remarkable ability to bring people and programs together, keeping the essence of the Girl Scout experience strong and meaningful for both girls and volunteers. Christina's creativity shone in her design of many special projects including the council adult scarf. Christina's legacy is vastly woven into the fabric of the Girl Scouts organization for on the backs of scouts, old and new are Christina's patch designs that memorialize their experiences. In 2022, she became Executive Assistant to the COO, offering her steady hand and thoughtful leadership at the highest levels of council operations. Her presence was grounding and reliable, always addressing tasks with care and excellent resolve In 2023, she was able to put her creativity and passion first as she embraced her new role as Program Manager. With gusto and moxie, she designed incredible events and camp experiences for girls of all ages. Her programs sparked joy, built confidence, and helped girls grow into leaders in their own right. Since 2011, she stepped into her most cherished role as the leader to Troop 12029. A doting mother with keen intention, she chose the number to represent the year Violet would graduate. Intimately, she curated experiences that developed the courage, confidence and character of her own troop of girls.Along the way, Christina’s contributions were honored with the highest awards in Girl Scouting: In 2010, Christina was honored with the North Star Award, recognizing her as a guiding light whose clarity of purpose and steady presence helped shape the council’s direction and positively impacted its entire footprint. Her contributions were felt across the organization. In 2020, Christina received the Girl Scout Spirit Award, a reflection of the joy, encouragement, and optimism she brought to her work every day. A ray of pure sunshine, her enthusiasm and encouragement inspired those around her and strengthened the spirit of sisterhood. In 2025, Christina was awarded the Thanks Badge, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, recognizing her exceptional service and the lasting, measurable impact she made—not only within GSHG, but across the entire Girl Scout Movement. A testament to the profound respect and admiration for her was that she received more recommendation letters than needed and the committee blindly voted unanimously without hesitation to bestow this honor to her. "Smash" crafted a legacy that lingers on in the sisters she touched, the mission she so deeply believed in, and the spirit she brought to everything she did. She was, and always will be, a true North Star for all of us. There will be a memorial (celebration of life) ceremony for Christina held for friends and family at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church, 780 Timothy Road, Athens, GA 30606 on Saturday April 26, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to The Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, 185 Newton Bridge Road, Athens, GA 30607 in memory of Christina Smashey Smith. Christina will be buried at a private ceremony in Cheatham Hill Memorial Park in Marietta, Georgia.