SMITH, Jean Marlene

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/28/2014 Jean Marlene Smith, 82, of Show Low peacefully entered into rest with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior Sunday, Nov. 23. She was born April 18, 1932, in Viking, Minn. As a young woman she journeyed to Sunland, Calif., where she worked at a waitress. She met the “man of her life” in the LA restaurant business and married Robert B. Smith Jan. 25, 1957. Together they settled in LaMirada, Calif., and raised three children, Elizabeth Jean Thomas, Von Bernard Smith and Melody Ann Smith. Jean was an amazing and wonderful Mama and taught all the important lessons in life; you know the ones in “The Instruction Book.” She never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere — “just ask dad." She touched the lives of all whom she interacted with. She prospered in the Shaklee Business and became key coordinator, where she met many wonderful friends. Bob and Jean retired in Baxter Springs, Kan., in 1985. Jean loved the Lord and was an active member of the International Women’s Bible Study Fellowship and Bethel Community Church. In January 2001, the Smiths moved to Show Low, where they still resided. Jean attended and was an active member of the New Life Community Church of the Nazarene. She was an upbeat, caring friend, compassionate, encouraging, kind, generous and selfless. “We will all miss her but are reassured that we will have a joyful reunion one day, beyond our earthly life.” She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Elizabeth Westlund Stone; father Henry Stone; brothers Halward (Lolly Sunny) Stone and Buddy Stone; sisters Harriet (Herbert) Peterson and Donns Robinson; uncles Victor Westlund and Leonard Westlund; and aunt Edna Kotschevar. She is survived by her husband, Robert B. Smith; children Von B. (Kim) Smith of Sunland, Calif., Elizabeth Jean (Todd) Harmon of Green Valley and Melody Ann (Mike) Cagle of Riverton, Kan.; nieces and nephews, Sandy Forslund, Jeanine Stone, Holly Cheney, Kathy Williams, Joel Stone, James D. Robinson, Bobby Jo Cole and Tabitha Robison; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and countless friends. “As a family, we would like to express our sincere heartfelt appreciation for all of your prayers and support during this difficult time of the loss of our wife and mother.” A celebration of life memorial for Jean will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the New Life Community Church at the Nazarene, 601 S. Clark Road (Highway 260), in Show Low. Silver Creek Mortuary handled arrangements.