Smith_Leota_4 July 1914
Leota Thomas Smith, 95, passed away September 21, 2009 at her home in Bluffdale, Utah.
She was born July 4, 1914, in Malad City, Idaho to David Dredge Thomas and Sarah Claudia Richards Thomas. She was the oldest of four children. She graduated high school in Malad and attended one year at Utah Agriculture College in Logan, Utah.
Leota loved being involved in church and community service. She was a longtime member of the University Park Daughters of Utah Pioneers and was a member of the Pocatello Literary Club. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and held numerous positions. She was Relief Society president, stake Young Women’s president and organized the first library in the Pocatello Sixth Ward.
Leota was a gifted gardener and loved her roses and other flowering plants. Her talent for quilting and sewing was unmatched. She loved music and loved to play her piano and organ, but only privately. She was a great cook, and was known for her homemade chicken noodle soup.
Leota is survived by her children: Sharon Lee Smith Gustavson of Titusville, Pa. Kathryn Annette Smith Miller of Pocatello, Idaho, Scott Wayne Smith (Allyn) of Pocatello, Idaho, Wendy Sue Smith Nielsen, of Bluffdale, Utah, Kristine Kay Smith Nielsen (Anders) of Riverton, Utah; 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren. Leota is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Wayne Smith; her parents, David Dredge Thomas, and Sarah Claudia Richards Thomas, her brothers, Grant Thomas and Maurice Thomas, and sister Maurine Thomas Hughes West, and by an infant daughter, Gaylyn Smith.
Leota was loved by many and will be missed. She left a great legacy of good works and selfless service.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, September 25, 2009, at the Century Ward Chapel, corner of Fourth and Fredregill, with Bishop David Andersen conducting. The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10 a.m. to just prior to services at the Century Ward Relief Society room. The interment will follow at Smithfield City Cemetery in Smithfield, Utah. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. Fourth Ave, Pocatello.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at 222.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.