Remembering & loving those we serve.....

On Monday night I received a phone call from my visiting teaching partner. She is a wonderful lady. We have been visiting teaching together for almost five years now. I never want to go with anyone else!!

One of the sisters that we visit teach passed away Sunday night/Monday morning in her sleep. She was 95 years old, but still as sharp as a tack and a lot of fun!! She always said that she wanted to just go to sleep and then not wake up. What a blessing that Heavenly Father would grant her the wish of her heart.

One of my favorite memories of her is visiting her and all of us laughing so hard that we almost wet our pants. Leota said that she did!!! She always had chocolate for us and I loved her dearly. My life is better because I was able to visit and get to know her, she taught me so much when I was suppose to be teaching her!!!

I love you dear friend. I will miss visiting & seeing you. Till we meet again.....



Leota Thomas Smith
July 4, 1914 - September 21, 2009

Biography
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.
On September 19, 1935 she married Samuel Wayne Smith in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were happily married for 66 years at the time of her husbands’ death.
Leota loved being involved in church and community service. She was a long time 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 6th Ward.

Leota was a gifted gardner and loved her roses and other flowering plants. Her talent for quilting and sewing were 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, Id., Scott Wayne Smith (Allyn) of Pocatello, Id., Wendy Sue Smith Nielsen, of Bluffdale, Ut., Kristine Kay Smith Nielsen (Anders) of Riverton, Ut. 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 12:00 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 10:00 am to just prior to services at the Century Ward Relief Society room. The Interment will follow at Smithfield City Cemetery in Smithfield, Ut. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, Pocatello