Helen Smith Braddock, "Coach" and known by her family as "Gran", 79, of San Antonio, Florida in the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club Community passed away April 4th, 2022 at approximately 5:00PM at Gulfside Hospice in Zephyrhills, Florida. Her daughter and son-in-law were at her side holding her hands as she went home to be with the Lord. Helen was born on November 17th, 1942 in Tampa, Florida and was adopted to her mother: Idella Wells and father: Jason Merrill Smith. She attended Gorrie Elementary School, Wilson Middle School, and graduated from H.B. Plant High School. She continued her education at Florida Southern College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. At Florida Southern College, Helen was a sister of the Kappa Delta sorority. Helen used this degree with Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida as a middle school physical education teacher for 34 years. In her free time while still actively teaching, Helen golfed as well as spent a great deal of time with her family including her daughter Stephanie and granddaughter Amber. Together, the three of them attended Broadway shows, went out to eat, saw movies, and played games. Simply being together was enough for the three of them. Helen had a love for music and was a fabulous pianist. She instilled the love of music into her granddaughter Amber, beginning her in young piano lessons as early as age 3. Hearing her play her embellished, joyous versions of "Its a Grand Old Flag," and "God Bless America" were a treat for all to hear. After her retirement, she spent time traveling, golfing and socializing with her friends before deciding to go back to work part-time at Gaither High School Adult Education in Tampa as an administrative assistant for approximately 7 years. She reluctantly retired amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and returned to her lifestyle of shopping, going out to eat (Goody-Goody and Coney Island being her favorites), hanging out with friends, and most importantly, golfing. After living in Tampa for most of her childhood and adult life, Helen made the move to Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club in San Antonio, Florida in 2017. She excitedly started to live out the rest of her true retirement years. To say she loved living there was an understatement it truly was home. Helens favorite thing to do was golf; after moving out to Tampa Bay Golf and County Club, she golfed at least 3-4 times a week with the Parseekers Golf Club. These ladies became some of her best friends. For Christmas after moving to Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, her daughter and son-in-law gifted her her beloved golden golf cart. She always said it didnt go fast enough, but anyone that has ever ridden in it with her knows somehow she got that thing to just floor. She whipped around corners like it was a sports car. She decorated her cart in Florida State gear in honor of her love of the garnet and gold and never-ending Seminole Spirit. She was heavily into sports besides golf and was a big fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Florida State Seminoles. If there was ever a golf tournament or football game on TV, that took priority over everything else no arguments. Helen enjoyed decorating her yard and home with any trinkets she could find, including windchimes, windmills, statues of owls, and most recently, gnomes. Helen loved to laugh and make others laugh, and truly had a light-hearted sense of humor. Nothing in life was ever meant to be taken too seriously life is short anyway, she would say. Helen has had cats all her life and at the time of her death, had one kitty named Hoot. Hoot and Helen were the very best of friends and we know Hoot misses her greatly. In her absence, Hoot has moved in with Helens daughter and is becoming more comfortable as the days pass. Helen is survived by immediate family including: One daughter: Stephanie Braddock Kelleher of Dade City, Florida; one daughter-in-love: Bonni Perry McClure of Merritt Island, Florida; Son-in-law: Brian Edward Kelleher of Dade City, Florida; One granddaughter: Amber Ellen Arce of Tallahassee, Florida; One brother: Richard Merrill Smith of Union City, Tennessee. Survived by additional family including: One granddaughter-in-love: Jamie Elizabeth McClure. One future grandson-in-law: Robert "Bobby" Allen Stewart of Tallahassee, Florida; One step grandson: Brian Edward Kelleher II of Greenville, South Carolina; One great-grandson: Liam Jacob Kelleher and expected great-granddaughter: Emilia Cecilia Kelleher both of Greenville, South Carolina. Helen is predeceased by: Father: Jason Merrill Smith; Mother: Idella Wells, both of Tampa, Florida. Ex-husband: Leon Dozier Braddock, Jr. of Tampa, Florida. A lifetime full of cats, including most recently her Ragdoll kitty, Ahma. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 24th, 2022 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club Community Center. It will be open-house style; come and go as you please. Light refreshments will be provided. Per Helens wishes, she is to be cremated. Place of disposition and services provided by Hodges Funeral Home Dade City, Florida. The family would like to make a note that in Helens honor, some of her cremated remains will go into a special golf ball shaped urn with "Coach" inscribed into it. Additionally, some of her ashes will be placed into a music note pendant that her granddaughter Amber will proudly wear for her wedding day to have her Gran close by. We could not imagine her wanting to be laid to rest any other way. Celebration of Life Service Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club Community Center Sunday, April 24, 2022 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 11245 Old Tampa Bay Dr San Antonio, Florida 33576