March 12, 1935-Jan. 17, 2018
Visitation: 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 22, Bland-Brumback Funeral Home, Stockton. Service: 11 a.m. Monday at funeral home. Burial: Stockton Cemetery.
Mrs. Smith, 82, Stockton, died Wednesday, Jan. 17. She was born in Bear Creek, the oldest child of Tom and Myrtle Harris and grew up in rural Cedar County with her four other siblings.
She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and became a “number please” operator for the local telephone company. She was united in marriage to Max Alden Smith Aug. 8, 1954. They were the parents of three children, two sons and a daughter. She was saved as a child during a snowstorm at a rural revival and was baptized after they chopped the ice on the creek so they could get into the water. She said she never felt cold that day. As an adult, she earnestly continued to worship and follow God’s will. Late in life she was called to preach, and was a preacher and the pastor of Bethlehem Church until her death.
She was a homemaker, and also worked one day a week at Smith Furniture to allow her husband a day off. The store was closed in 1987, and she retired to the farm with her husband where they continued to raise cattle.
In early December 2017, she developed vasculitis and kidney failure, and though she valiantly fought this disease, it took her life in the end.
Survivors include two sons, Steve Smith and wife Jeanie and Scott Smith and wife Denise; a daughter, Holly Bush and husband Jason; three grandchildren, Josh Smith and wife Sara, Rachel Berding and husband Matt and Heather Smith; a sister, Donna Simmons; a brother, Jerry Harris; five grandchildren, Trishna Rosebrough and husband Matt, Travis Estes, Scott Works and wife Megan, Paul Works and Jennifer Hensley; nine great-grandchildren, Beau Smith, Jacob and Tyler Berding with little sister Elsie Grace Berding on the way, Garrin and Jada Rosebrough, Katelyn and Hunter Hensley, Liam and Lincoln Works; and her 2017 running buddy, Joe Frieze.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Max; her parents; and two sisters, Pat Barnes and Nancy Stockton.
Services were officiated by Rod Barnes and Bill Halzel. Online condolences can be made at www.brumbackfuneralhome.com.
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