Ruth Elaine Smith Edwards, 78 died Monday April 26, 2010 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She passed away quietly at home surrounded by her family.
Elaine was born on August 11, 1931 in Malad City, Idaho, the daughter of Robert and Ruth Smith. She was one of three children, often referred to as the rose between two thorns, older brother Robert and younger brother Johnny.
Elaine was raised and educated in Malad City. Sixty-three years ago, this beautiful young girl heard a rumor about a good-looking young rouge, who was known for his baby blue eyes and devilish ways. She being very intrigued hoped for the chance of someday meeting. As fate would have it, in the fall of 1947, they met at a church dance. It was love at first sight, thus beginning the two-year courtship of the mischievous, but always-gallant country boy Cleon Edwards and the beautiful and popular city girl Elaine. On October 19, 1949, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple for time and all eternity. She was a devoted and loving wife and later when blessed with four children, Kenny, Patty, Julie and Janet, the most amazing mother a child could ever ask for.
Elaine was an active member of the LDS church and loved serving the Lord in many positions especially her visiting teaching assignments. She was often heard sharing her true and everlasting testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ to her family and especially her grandchildren.
Over the years they put down roots in Idaho, Montana and Utah. Lovingly, she transformed each house to a warm and beautiful home through her unique gift of decorating. Her endless hours devoted to her immaculate flower gardens won her numerous awards. She alone has crocheted enough blankets to keep many new generations and those yet to come intertwined with love from grandma Elaine. She enjoyed her time working as a data entry clerk at Hill Air Force Base and had many fond memories working as a bank teller.
She is survived by her husband Thomas Cleon Edwards, son Ken (Deborah) Edwards, daughters, Patty Mahoney, Julie Allen, Janet (Jeff) Dursteler, and brothers Robert and Johnny Smith along with 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Ruth Smith.
Funeral services will be held on Friday April 30, 2010 at 12 noon in the Malad LDS 5th Ward Chapel 100 W. 20 S.Friends may visit with the Edwards family on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Horsley Funeral Home 132 W. 300 N. in Malad and on Friday at the funeral home from 10:30-11:30 am. Burial will be in the Malad City Cemetery. You may send condolences to the Edwards family at www.horsleyfuneralhome.com.
If you were to Google the word “mother” or “grandmother” on the internet, our mother would be the top search result.
The family would like to thank Carol and her Intermountain Homecare Hospice Team.