Clare Smith Merchant, 76, of Panama City, FL passed away on Thursday September 7, 2017. She was born on July 20, 1941 in Gadsden, AL to Thomas Woodie and Lois Smith. Clare moved to Panama City in 1945 and was a 1959 graduate of Bay High School. She graduated from Gulf Coast Community College and the University of West Florida. She was a dedicated teacher at Bay High School for 22 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Maurice Merchant; her parents and one son, Stephen Bryan Merchant. She is survived by her son, David Christopher Merchant (Ashley); three grandchildren, Saige Merchant, Shea Merchant, Slayter Merchant; one brother, T. Woodie Smith Jr. (Sonya); and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held on Saturday September 16, 2017 at 10 am in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, North Florida Chapter, PO Box 41166, Jacksonville, FL 32203-1166.