Lois E. Smith

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Lois Smith was such a blessing in the lives of everyone she met. She could be a bit feisty and ornery, but she also had the most fun-loving spirit that was contagious to all who were near. Lois was blessed to share most of her days with her true love, and together they were partners in both business and in life. Perhaps there was no greater calling in her life than becoming an aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother during her sunset years. Life was not without times of trial for Lois, but she faced whatever came her way with strength, courage, and grace. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a colorful mosaic of memories that her loved ones will forever treasure.

We often recall the 1920s as the Roaring Twenties as they were a vibrant and exciting time in American history. Cars were mass produced on assembly lines, the silent film era came to an end, and the lights on Broadway never shined brighter. It was also during this colorful time that Paul and Margaret (Miller) Walker were eagerly anticipating the birth of a new baby as fall colored the horizon in Coesse, Indiana. The big day finally arrived on October 9, 1926, when the baby girl they named Lois E. made her grand entrance. She was the youngest of three girls, joining her sisters, Jean and Phyllis, in the family - at least she was the youngest until her younger brother, Jerry, was born when she was 13. To say she was less than thrilled to learn of a new baby joining the family may be an understatement as Lois said that she was not going to be helping care for the new baby, but once he was actually born she wound up loving him after all. She attended local schools and graduated from Coesse High School in 1944.

New and exciting changes were in store for Lois when she met the young man of her dreams while hanging out with her friends at the rink. He was a Huntington boy named Albert L. Smith, and he was serving in the United States Navy at the time. Sparks flew right from the start, and shortly thereafter he was honorably discharged after serving from 1942 to 1945. Deeply in love, the sweethearts were united in marriage by Rev. Graham Kleespie at Grace Lutheran Church in Columbia City on December 20, 1945. The newlyweds lived in a small renovated garage home in Huntington for a brief period of time until they bought their home on Chauncey Street in Columbia City in 1949. Together they welcomed three sons including Richard, Donald, and Thomas into their hearts and home.

From the moment she became a mother, Lois fully immersed herself in the role. She was there for whatever her children were a part of including as a den mother when her boys were part of the Cub Scouts. In fact, Lois and her sister, Phyllis, even helped coach the Coesse Indians baseball team for several years. As her son Tom became a teenager, the family started camping and fishing more. Even as the children moved out of the house, Lois enjoyed camping, fishing, canoeing, and snowmobiling. She was over the moon excited to become a grandmother, and spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren became a favorite activity. In addition to spending a lot of time with her grandchildren, Lois regularly spent time with her nieces and nephews as well.

A proud mother and wife, Lois also helped manage her husbands plumbing company, Smiths Plumbing and Heating. By the time they retired in 1995, it was called AL Smith Plumbing, Heating, and Antiques, as Lois had a keen eye for a bargain. It was been said that she would slam on her brakes and turn around for a garage sale! Lois was a serious garage sale shopper who also went to auctions, often to buy antiques. She and Albert made a great team as she found the bargains and took them home for him to clean and fix up. Lois and her husband had some wooded property that they camped on and dreamed of building a house one day. However, they sold the property after they realized that the demands of their business didnt allow it, and it was then that they began dealing in antiques.

A woman of many interests, Lois was always a bustle of activity. She spent some time working at the Whitely County Courthouse in addition to being in business with her husband. Lois attended First Church of God and also enjoyed traveling with her sisters and cousins. She was an amazing entertainer and hostess who was known for cooking breakfast for whoever would stop by, and she was also famous for her watermelon parties. As a lover of jewelry and doing crafts, Lois made over 100 bracelets to send with her nephew when he went to Haiti on mission trips. She and Albert were always sure to have his baked graham cracker cookies, which he really didnt bake although he did frost them. They were always served with a side of Tang and 7UP. On October 26, 2008, Lois was deeply saddened with her beloved Alberts death. They had been living at Renaissance Village for four years prior to his death, and Lois remained there for the rest of her life.

A lover of life and a lover of people, Lois Smith lived an extraordinary life. She was never one to worry about the things of this world; however, she focused her time and attention on nurturing and caring for others first and foremost. Lois worked hard, but she also knew how to have fun, and nothing was better than sharing enriching experiences with the family she adored. She leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Lois E. Smith, of Columbia City, Indiana, died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at Renaissance Village of Fort Wayne. Lois is survived by her son, Thomas A. Smith of South Whitley; daughter-in-law, Suzie Smith of Columbia City; sisters, Jean Mossburg and Phyllis Bear, both of Columbia City; sister-in-law, Betty Walker of Columbia City; grandchildren, Amy (Trini) Broadnax, Angela Smith, Michelle Smith, Jason (Kristi) Smith and Matthew Smith; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Margaret Walker; husband, Albert Smith; sons, Richard and Donald Smith; brother, Jerry Walker; and brothers-in-law, Edwin Bear and Paul Mossburg.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 14, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, February 15, 2016, at the funeral home with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus officiating. Burial will follow at Nolt Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to American Cancer Society or Whitley County Relay for Life. To send Lois family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .