Mildred Marie Smith, 101, Bethany, MO passed away Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Crestview Nursing Home, Bethany, MO. She was born June 18, 1916 the daughter of Tonie and Lottie (Glick) Jones.

Born next to the oldest in a family that eventually consisted of twelve children, Mildred knew work and responsibility at an early age. She had a “way” with babies and helped with many newborns in the family throughout the years.

Mildred attended the Williams Country School near Denver. She started high school in Grant City, staying with her Aunt Mary, but had to quit due to illness.

In her teen years, she met a young guy named Ivan Smith at a box and pie supper at the Zimmerman School House and on April 8, 1935, took him as her husband. They were married in the old courthouse in Bethany, MO. Their marriage was blessed the births of 3 sons, Kenneth Ivan, Norman Lee, and Jimmie Dale. They raised the boys on the farm and resided in the Washington Center Community until moving to Bethany in 1985.

Mildred always had a large garden and had a “green thumb,” especially with flowers. She loved to fish and hunt mushrooms. She was an excellent cook and used her talents at the Martinsville School for several years. People who enjoyed the meals still rave about the cinnamon rolls.

She was a member of the Wesley Chapel Church and used to help quilt with neighbor ladies there.

God truly blessed Mildred and Ivan with many years of married life together. We were looking forward to a celebration of their 70th anniversary in only 3 months when the Lord called Ivan home on January 3, 2005, at the age of 88 years. Mildred chose to sell her home and move to Countryside Apts where she resided for several years, then due to failing health, was transferred to Crestview Nursing Home.

Few people have the opportunity to celebrate their 100th birthday but on June 18, 2016, Mildred reached that milestone. The family held a celebration for her at Crestview complete with flowers, cake, and decorations and a large crowd attended. She enjoyed being the “guest of honor.”

Mildred was also preceded in death by her parents; 4 sisters, Betty Thrasher, Ruth Meadows, Opal Guernsey, and Donna Hill; and 6 brothers, Truman Jones, Leslie and Chesley Jones, Dale Jones, Francis “Bud” Jones, and Robert Jones.

She is survived by her sons and their wives, Kenneth and Mona, Eagleville, Norman and Judy, Green Valley, AZ, and Jimmie and Fauneal, Martinsville; 9 grandchildren, Scott, Lisa, Mike, Curtis, Chris, Gayla, Shannon, Camelle, and Shane; 18 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren as well as step great grandchildren and step great-great grandchildren; younger brother and his wife, Larry and Sunja Jones, Easton, MO; sister-in-law, Doris Jones, Martinsville; and a large host of nieces and nephews.

We can only imagine all the changes she had seen in the 101 years she lived on this earth. Everything from The Great Depression to the unbelievable modern technology of today. May she rest in peace in the arms of the angels.