Thelma Smith
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Former Greybull resident, Thelma Smith left this earth on August 25, 2016 at the Sanpete Valley Hospital in Mount Pleasant, UT, surrounded by family members due to complications resulting from a stroke. Thelma was born on September 14, 1923, to Silas Thales Smith and Elvena Sessions Smith and grew up on Shell Creek, east of Greybull, Wyoming. She was the 5th of six children, with four older brothers and one younger sister. As a young woman she learned from her mother the extensive homemaking skills that she would use and pass on throughout her life. She also developed a deep love for music and performing at a young age, another talent she shared freely and impressed upon her children and grandchildren.
She met the love of her life, Metz Neilson Smith, at a church dance. During their courtship they became a dynamic duo on the dance floor and were asked to instruct and teach dance lessons at many different events and occasions both then and throughout their life together. They married on October 8, 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Raising a family on their ranch became a priority and they were blessed with eight children: Roland, Marcel (Robyn), Connie (Lane) Keisel, Sylva (Neil) Lamont, Amy (Rick) Paxman, Myrna (Earnie) Hammer, Ben (Alice), and Randy (Christina). Those children added 42 grandchildren, 66 great grand children, and 22 great great grandchildren. Grandma Smith made sure that each one was recognized on their birthday with a handmade card and some grandma dollars, and took great pride in her large posterity.
Thelma was very active in leadership for the local and state Farm Bureau organization, and also served in significant roles within the Republican Party. Because of her involvement in these capacities she often wrote and contributed editorials and articles for the local newspaper.
Metz was involved in a tragic horse accident in 1987, which left him in need of 24/7 care. Thelma spent the next eight years caring for and serving her husband until his passing in 1995. She later made the gut wrenching decision to sell the ranch and leave the friends, family and life she had known in Wyoming to move to Utah and start a new adventure. She quickly made new friends and felt at home among the other family members nearby. She was a staple of service and friendship within her neighborhood
Thelma spent her life serving faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In addition to serving in her local units, she also served two full time missions, one in Las Vegas and one in Carlsbad, California. Besides her family, her highest priority was to serve her Heavenly Father by serving her neighbors and friends. She had a passion for humanitarian service and family history work and was preparing to leave and serve in these capacities on the day of her stroke. Valiant to the end!
Her presence in the lives of her family members and all who came in contact with her was large, and though she will be greatly missed – we honor her and feel grateful for the legacy of love and service she has left behind.
Funeral services will be held Friday September 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center at 461 N 300 W in Mt. Pleasant, Utah with a viewing from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church.
Thelma's body will be transported back to Wyoming for burial. There will be an informal potluck dinner for family and friends on Saturday evening, September 3rd at 5:00 pm at the LDS Church between Greybull and Basin WY. Graveside Services to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at the Whaley Cemetery near Shell, WY with Interment folllowing. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com
