Samee Charlotte Smith Ellerbee

Samee Charlotte Ellerbee lost her battle with cancer on August 2nd, 2011. She is survived by her husband, Steve, and her brother, Clay Smith. She is also survived by her nieces: Allie, Lauren and Sarah Smith. Samee was the daughter of Sam H. and Charlotte N. Smith, both deceased, and the daughter-in-law of Elaine Ellerbee. She graduated from Wheeler High School in Marietta in 1969 and from the University of Georgia Pharmacy School in 1974. She began her pharmacy career in Marietta with Dunaway Drugs. She and Steve moved to Thomaston where Samee worked for Adams and Northside Drugs. In 1984 Samee became a partner in Edmund's Drug Store in Augusta and she and Steve moved. In 1992 Samee took a job at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon near Augusta. She worked there for 17 years and retired in 2008. While at Fort Gordon Samee received her CDE (certified diabetes educator) crediential and taught a diabetes course at the hospital. After retirement she used her CDE to coach diabetes patients. One such program took us to Dalton, GA. There she worked with diabetics at Hamilton Hospital. In 2009 Samee, Clay and Steve were the 24 hour hospice providers for her father. During her career she won many awards in her profession. From the Georgia Parmacy Association, she received the Mal T. Anderson district president award and the Bowl of Hygeia. She also became a 'Fellow' from the American Pharmacy Association. While working for the U. S. Army, she received the highest award presented to a civilian pharmacist, the Janette Hunter Award. Outside of her profession, she was a member of the Junior Woman's Club in Thomaston and in Augusta. Both clubs selected her as their Citizen of the Year. Samee would like you to consider a contribution to Wreaths Across America (www.wreathsacrossamerica.org) This organization provides wreaths at Christmas for the National Cemeteries. If you could, make any contributions specific to the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. Make the donation in memory of Samee Ellerbee and in honor of Sam H. Smith, her father, who is buried there.