Lucille Smith Laws

Lucille Smith Laws, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 5, 2012 at her daughter’s home in Smithfield, Utah surrounded by loving family members.

She was born on June 22, 1925 to Samuel and Mabel Jensen Smith, Jr. in Malad City, Idaho where she attended school and graduated from Malad High School in 1943. She was raised on a farm and learned the value of hard work including driving horses pulling a plow. After high school she worked at Horsley’s Store and then became a telephone operator at the telephone office.

Lucille married her sweetheart, Thomas L. Laws, on June 7, 1944 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She worked at the Ogden Naval Base as a typist during World War II. In 1946 she and Thomas returned to Malad where they became lifelong farmers and she enjoyed working outdoors especially driving tractors for her husband. Lucille returned to the telephone office as an operator and worked there for many years where she soon became known for her cheerful voice as “the voice with a smile.”

She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she loved serving in numerous positions especially as Primary President, Young Women President, and chorister for many years. She served in the Cub Scouting Program throughout Malad Valley for which she received the Scouting Silver Beaver Award. One of her joys was interviewing Eagle Scout candidates in her home. She was fond of saying she was a “true scouter.”

She loved her family and hosted numerous family reunions at her home throughout her lifetime. Her greatest joy was visiting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all love her dearly and will miss her fun spunkiness. She also cherished holiday celebrations with her family, particularly Christmas. Lucille loved to hug each family member and wish them happiness as she presented them with a small gift. Everyone in the family always looked forward to this!

Lucille made wonderful quilts for her children and crocheted afghans for her grandchildren. She enjoyed music whether singing in choirs, conducting them or playing the violin. She and Thomas loved to dance and were dance directors for many years. She is now dancing once again with her sweetheart. Her favorite place to be was sitting right next to her dear husband, Thomas.

She is survived by her children; Linda (Vard) Williams of Boise, ID, Tonya Buckley of Logan, UT, Lorri Scott of Chubbuck, ID, Thomas (Brenda) Laws Jr. of Meridian, ID, Jana (Doug) Hansen of Smithfield, UT; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and brothers; Glen (Vervene) Smith of Ogden, UT, Boyd (Mahon) Smith of Centerville, UT, Jim (Judy) Smith of Parma, ID, and Gordon (Rhea) Smith of Twin Falls, ID.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Thomas L. Laws, her daughter, Suzanne L. Evans, her parents and her sister, Laura Louise Brinkerhoff.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:00 noon at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Malad, ID. Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.horsleyfuneralhome.com.