Mrs. Anne Harlass Martin

January 26, 1929 - September 18, 2018

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Anne Harlass Martin, 89, who entered into rest on Tuesday, September 18, 2018. Our mother was a very loving and giving lady to her family. Anne was born in Prague, the Czech Republic where she enjoyed a privileged life. She had an excellent education in the Catholic schools of Prague. She spoke and wrote in five languages and was extremely intelligent. She enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb. She survived World War II as a small girl. The war destroyed her beautiful home and idyllic lifestyle which has tormented her for most of her adult life. She remembered the war as if it were yesterday. Her father, Rene Harlass, was the principal owner and president of the largest bank in Prague when the war came to Prague. Anne as a young girl left Prague along with her Father, her Mother Maria Harlass and Grandmother left Prague and relocated to their mountain home in Bavaria, Germany where they had a safe haven until the end of the war. She lost her close friends over the years and always spoke of meeting them all on cloud 9. Anne’s three sons Robert Smith, James Smith and Steve Smith will miss our mother and grieve in her absence the rest of our lives. She is survived by her sons, Robert (Beth) Smith of Myrtle Beach, SC, James R. (Rosanne "Sissy") Smith of Mayesville, SC, Steve M. (Pam) Smith of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Kimberly Smith, Shane Smith Gibson, James "Jim" R. Smith II, Kristin Smith Lynch, Steve Smith, Erin Smith, Shelly Ann Smith; 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Martin. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is serving the family.