Nell
Stapleton Smith—born Nov. 29, 1921 in Dothan,
AL. She grew up in Marianna, Florida and
graduated from Jackson County High School in
1939. She attended and graduated from FSCW, now
Florida State University, in 1943.
She was
sworn into the Naval Reserve on July 12, 1943 in
Jacksonville, FL. and reported for duty on July
31, 1943 at the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman
School, Northampton, MA. She served as an
apprentice seaman until August 27, 1943, when
she was sworn in as a midshipman. She became an
ensign on September 21, 1943 and was appointed
assistant paymaster with the rank of ensign.
Ensign Smith reported for duty at Supply and
Accounts School at Cambridge, MA on October 1,
1943.
Upon
completion of Supply School, she was sent to
Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth VA. reporting
there on Jan 21, 1944. She was promoted to the
rank of Lieutenant (jg) SC (W) on January 9,
1945. She served as assistant disbursing
officer at the Navy Yard until April 15, 1945,
when she received orders to report to the U.S.
Naval Air Station at Glynco, Georgia. There she
served as disbursing officer until November 29,
1945 when she was released from active duty.
During her tenure in the WAVES she also met and
married Frank Brobson Lutz on August 29, 1945.
Nell and
Frank lived in Millville, NJ until 1952 when
they moved to Athens, AL to raise their 3
children Brobson, Tom, and Ruth. Frank worked
at Chemstrand Corp. in Decatur and Nell
immediately became involved in community,
church, and school activities. When not tending
to children, she spent her time cooking,
fishing, sewing, and substitute teaching. She
was also involved in several clubs—bridge,
circles, and study club and enjoyed some other
hobbies. After Frank retired, they enjoyed
doing some traveling, spending time with their
grandchildren, and they spent a lot of time at
their camp on the Elk River.
Nell
received the DAR Community Service Award for her
community service and in 2009, she participated
in the Honor Flight. She and Frank participated
in the Veterans Parade in Nov. 2010 when she
served as the Honorary Grand Marshal and was
honored as being the oldest living WWII Veteran
in Limestone County.
Nell
continues to enjoy cooking, fishing, reading,
attending Bible Study and church activities.
She keeps up with her many friends all over the
world via email. She received her first
computer as a 50th anniversary gift in 1995 and
now keeps two operating at all times.
