Carma Smith was a power force for good in so many peoples lives in our community. She was a loving mother, community leader and impressive businesswomen in a time when it was not easy to be a women business leader.
Since moving to Statesboro with her husband and four children in 1974, Carma Smith has made a lasting impression on the community. The Newcomers Club that she founded in 1975 with friends Barbara Murphy and Joyce Banks Bohler is where many residents formed lifelong friendships.
Welcoming newcomers became her career when Smith started work as a real estate agent, and many Statesboro residents purchased their first home with her help.
Smith is best-known as the co-founder of Landmark Realty. She and her partner Betty Minick started the company in the late ‘70s, and Smith remained a partner there until 2002. The business continues today as ERA Hirsch Real Estate Team and operates from the same building that Smith constructed with her husband in 1987.
After her death on July 24, 2022 friends and acquaintances began to share ways in which Carma Smith had touched them and made an impact in their lives. Her granddaughter, Jenn Morriss says, “I found out that she had been the real estate agent for many people that I knew, and I only found out as they expressed their condolences.”
Morriss says many community members from the Country Club, business associations, newcomers and even fellow Pittman Park UMC Choir members had fond memories of her grandmother. The family was touched deeply by their stories and wonderful memories of Carma.
Morriss says, “She did a lot of great things, but she was always just Grandma to us.”
Community Memories of Carma
Friends and family members shared memories of Carma after learning of her passing. We have selected a few of the funny and memorable ones shared that demonstrate the qualities that made her so special and loved by so many in our community.
"She was a delightful, goofy, loving role model for me growing up. Such memories I have. Carma Lee, being an "only child," told me her goal in life was to have a big family. She did it right!" -Ann Vernon
"My sister, Barbara Murphy was fortunate to have Carma as her best friend. Our family heard about Bud and Carma for years. One time, Carma stayed overnight with Barbara. They had to share a double bed. Barbara said shortly after getting comfortable, the bed started moving. She asked Carma what the heck she was doing. Carma said she was rocking herself to sleep by moving her foot back and forth. Later, at the induction of Wayne Murphy into the Georgia Southern Sports Hall of Fame, I came up behind Carma and said, “This is that woman who rocks herself to sleep.” It was the second time I had seen her. She reacted as expected and we all had a good laugh." -Shirley Sharp
"I practically lived at her house in high school. She was a very nice lady to me and my family. She will be missed." -Garland McCollum
"I think seeing how capable and successful my grandma was in her real estate career influenced all the women in my family to do the same. She taught us you can have a family and a great career at the same time." -Jenn Morriss
"Carma was one of the first people we met when we lived to Statesboro. She was so kind and patient helping us buy our first house! Such a sweet lady." -Shelly Murphree
"Carma helped us through the process of buying our first home in 1986. She knew the seller and trusted him to fix some things at the house during the purchase. When he failed to comply we were unable to come up with the needed resources to do it ourselves. One day not long after, we came home from work and all the materials and supplies were on our porch for us to do the job, courtesy of Carma. And she left a watermelon too! She was so sweet and kind. We were novices at home buying and had limited money, but she got us through it, taught us so much and showed such a sweet spirit. Her husband Bud was a wonderful man too!" -Jeff Alsup
"I was licensed in 2005 and started my career at ERA Landmark Realty, owned by Betty Minick and Pat Hirsch at the time. Ms. Carma was semi retired but still actively working in real estate. As a new agent, she would share listings with me and answer any questions when I asked. She helped me get started in property management and even shared several of her clients with me, one of which I still manage property for today. She had the kindest spirit that I still remember and I am grateful for." -Jessica Herrmann
"When we moved her out of her house into Southern Manor, she had loads and loads of prayer journals. Some people on the list didn’t even have names, just things like “lady in the store with a sick baby” because she believed in the power of prayer and I truly believe that her prayers kept our family safe all these years." -Jenn Morriss
"I would always enjoy talking with "Miss" Carma when I was visiting with my mom that also lived in southern Manor. She was most gracious and dressed so well. She always smiled. Sweet lady." -Karen Morris
"Carma was very involved in our community and the Statesboro Board of Realtors for many years. She was a partner and co-owner of ERA Landmark Realty until 2002. Carma and her husband, Bud Smith along with Betty Minick, designed and built Landmark Center in 1987. It is our current office location at 408 South Zetterower Avenue. Carma and Betty joined the ERA Franchise in 1988. Pat Hirsch joined the partnership with Carma and Betty in 2000. We are continuing our relationship with ERA now known as ERA Hirsch Real Estate Team. We will cherish our memories and times spent with Carma and keep her family in our prayers." - Pat Hirsch
Carma Lee Broker Smith touched many and blazed the trail for other women in our community to be successful. Statesboro and Bulloch County is a better place to call home thanks to Carma.
