Mrs. Grace M. Smith, 84, widow of the late L. M. Smith of
Ozark, died Thursday morning, February 2, in the Hillview Nursung
Home in Vienna, after an illness of several months.
Mrs. Smith was the daughter of Samuel V. and Eva Lambert Selby,
and was born December 12, 1882 in Bartlett, Ohio.
She was married to Lindley Malcolm Smith December 28, 1906 at
Bartlett, Ohio. He died September 2, 1966.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith came to Johnson County many years ago. Being
interested in horticulture, they purchased a tract of land near
Ozark and planted orchards. Since that time, they have expanded
their farm and fruit growing operations, and at the time of Mr.
Smith's death, were still active in raising fruit. He was one
of the pioneer orchardists of the county.
During her lifetime, Mrs. Smith has been very active in the affairs
of her community and the county. In 1952, she had the distinction
of being selected as Illinois Mother of the Year. This is quite
an honor, and when one reflects on her many activities and her
devotion to her family, it was quite evident that she was deserving
in every way of the honor.
Some of her activities were: taught a young married couples Sunday
School class of the Ozark Baptist church for 15 years; was president
of the Ozark Home Bureau unit for 19 years. She was a past president
of the tri-county Home Bureau; has been the leader of girl's 4-H
Clubs at Ozark for five years; was a member of the Ozark district
school for nine years and held several school board positions,
including president; organized the PTA in her home community and
was in demand as a speaker for the PTA groups; held a successful
drive to establish a high school in her area; served as chairman
several years in solicitations for the American Red Cross; U.
S. Bond drives; and infantile paralysis fund drives.
In addition to all of these many activities, Mrs. Smith found
time to devote to her family. Her Christian life was an inspiration
to them. She not only encouraged them to seek higher learning,
but she worked to that end that they might all have a college
education. This she accomplished in her unassuming, quiet manner,
asking no praise for herself, but being happy in her accomplishments.
Daniel, the first of her family to break the family chain, was
killed in the service of his country during World War 11 while
serving in the Air Force.
Surviving her are two daughters, Alice E. Smith, Viet Nam; Mrs.
Mary Alexander, Palo Alto, Calif.' Seven sons, Samuel L. Smith,
editor of the Metropolis News, Metropolis; Phillip, Laughlintown,
Pa.; Homer Smith, Ozark; Malcolm Smith of Monrovia, Calif.; David
Smith, Jeddo, Mich.; and Stephen Smith, Dallas, Texas.
Mrs.Smith attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio before coming
to Johnson County. She was a member of the Ozark Baptist church.
_ obituary copied.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 5, 1967 at the Mount
Funeral Home with Rev. John L. Phillips and Rev. Henry White officiating.
Interment was in the Robinson Cemetery near Ozark.