The Islander is a free weekly community newspaper serving Anna Maria Island. There is no charge for our standard obituary, including survivors, services, photo and other lifetime information for present and former residents of Anna Maria Island and people with affiliations on Anna Maria Island.
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Bonner Joy, Publisher. news@islander.org
Emily Anne Smith
Emily Anne Smith, 85, of Bradenton and formerly of Anna Maria Island, died March 29.
She was born April 18, 1940, in Atlanta, where she was raised and where she began her career in architectural design.
Ms. Smith spent more than 30 years living and working on Anna Maria Island, where she designed hundreds of properties. Her very first project was the museum at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s compound in Anna Maria.
She was one of the driving forces behind the revitalization of Bridge Street, including her design of the iconic clock tower. In 2001, Ms. Smith and others organized the annual Christmas Prelude, which was held under the clock tower on Thanksgiving evening. It was enjoyed by the community as a way to gather in music and fellowship to ring in the holidays.
Her numerous awards and recognition can be viewed on her website, emilyannesmithdesigns.com.
Services will be private. Memorial gifts may be made to Wildlife Inc., 2207 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach FL 34217.
Ms. Smith is survived by her partner, Lea Ann Bessonette, many loving friends, and several nieces and nephews, including Karen Prader and Ricky Smith.
Carol Rose Williams
Carol Rose Williams, 88, of Bradenton and formerly of Anna Maria Island, died March 3.
She was born Nov. 8, 1936, in Bloomington, Illinois. She moved to Manatee County in 1975 from Champaign, Illinois.
She was a real estate broker and partner in a successful real estate firm on Anna Maria Island. She enjoyed reading books, morning walks and water aerobics with her “section 12” friends.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Brown and Sons Funeral Homes 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made to your local SPCA. Condolences may be made at brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her daughter, Tonia, of Gulfport; son Steven and wife Marifrances of Santa Maria, California; and several nieces and nephews.