Lela Gwendolyn Smith, 94, of Oblong, IL passed away on Tuesday November 17, 2020 at Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong, IL.
She was born in Jasper County, IL on February 7, 1926 to Robert Isam (R I) and Pearl (Wiman) Baker. On November 22, 1947, she married Floyd Smith in Princeton, IN. They were married 50 years when he passed away on December 8, 1997.
Lela was a farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Oblong Township High School class of 1944 and in her earlier years was raised and active in the White Oak Christian Church. She enjoyed being a part of the LTC Singing Seniors, Home Extension, and as a member and past President of the Annapolis PTA that helped to bring many informative programs to the parents and students. Lela decorated wedding cakes, created stained glass pictures, etchings, quilted and gifted many picture quilts. Lela loved flying and in the hopes of ferrying planes to Europe during WWII, she soloed when she was 16 years old but, alas, she was 1 inch to short. So, instead shortly after graduating High School Lela moved to Hammond, IN working in the manufacturing of artillery shells. Lela also enjoyed playing a variety of musical instruments. Family was very important to Lela, she truly loved her children, grandkids and great-grandkids and was a loving caregiver to her mother, sister, mother-in-law and husband in their declining days.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Randell and Dorothy Smith, Annapolis, IL; a daughter Jane E. Smith, Newton, IL; grandchildren Chris and Connie Smith, Robinson, IL; Randa and Micah Wilder, Greenfield, IN and Steven and Jennifer Smith, Annapolis, IL; great-grandchildren Allison Smith (Kyle Yealick), Christopher Smith Jr., Evan Wilder, Caitlin Wilder, Garrett Smith and Josh Smith. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law James and Joyce Baker, Tuscola, IL and Earl and Leah Baker, Oblong, IL; sisters-in-law Neva Baker, Effingham, IL and Janice Baker, Oblong, IL along with several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, one infant son, two brothers Paul Baker, Warren Baker, a sister and brother-in-law Mary and Walter “Mac” Miller, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Cleda and Leonard McCrory and Freda (Smith) Spencer.
Due to Covid, the immediate family thanks everyone for respecting their wishes to try to keep everyone safe and will have a private family memorial service commemorating Lela’s life. Phil Boyd will be presiding. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery.
She was born in Jasper County, IL on February 7, 1926 to Robert Isam (R I) and Pearl (Wiman) Baker. On November 22, 1947, she married Floyd Smith in Princeton, IN. They were married 50 years when he passed away on December 8, 1997.
Lela was a farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Oblong Township High School class of 1944 and in her earlier years was raised and active in the White Oak Christian Church. She enjoyed being a part of the LTC Singing Seniors, Home Extension, and as a member and past President of the Annapolis PTA that helped to bring many informative programs to the parents and students. Lela decorated wedding cakes, created stained glass pictures, etchings, quilted and gifted many picture quilts. Lela loved flying and in the hopes of ferrying planes to Europe during WWII, she soloed when she was 16 years old but, alas, she was 1 inch to short. So, instead shortly after graduating High School Lela moved to Hammond, IN working in the manufacturing of artillery shells. Lela also enjoyed playing a variety of musical instruments. Family was very important to Lela, she truly loved her children, grandkids and great-grandkids and was a loving caregiver to her mother, sister, mother-in-law and husband in their declining days.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Randell and Dorothy Smith, Annapolis, IL; a daughter Jane E. Smith, Newton, IL; grandchildren Chris and Connie Smith, Robinson, IL; Randa and Micah Wilder, Greenfield, IN and Steven and Jennifer Smith, Annapolis, IL; great-grandchildren Allison Smith (Kyle Yealick), Christopher Smith Jr., Evan Wilder, Caitlin Wilder, Garrett Smith and Josh Smith. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law James and Joyce Baker, Tuscola, IL and Earl and Leah Baker, Oblong, IL; sisters-in-law Neva Baker, Effingham, IL and Janice Baker, Oblong, IL along with several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, one infant son, two brothers Paul Baker, Warren Baker, a sister and brother-in-law Mary and Walter “Mac” Miller, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Cleda and Leonard McCrory and Freda (Smith) Spencer.
Due to Covid, the immediate family thanks everyone for respecting their wishes to try to keep everyone safe and will have a private family memorial service commemorating Lela’s life. Phil Boyd will be presiding. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery.
Lela Gwendolyn Smith, 94, of Oblong, IL passed away on Tuesday November 17, 2020 at Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong, IL.
She was born in Jasper County, IL on February 7, 1926 to Robert Isam (R I) and Pearl (Wiman) Baker. On November 22, 1947, she married Floyd Smith in Princeton, IN. They were married 50 years when he passed away on December 8, 1997.
Lela was a farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Oblong Township High School class of 1944 and in her earlier years was raised and active in the White Oak Christian Church. She enjoyed being a part of the LTC Singing Seniors, Home Extension, and as a member and past President of the Annapolis PTA that helped to bring many informative programs to the parents and students. Lela decorated wedding cakes, created stained glass pictures, etchings, quilted and gifted many picture quilts. Lela loved flying and in the hopes of ferrying planes to Europe during WWII, she soloed when she was 16 years old but, alas, she was 1 inch to short. So, instead shortly after graduating High School Lela moved to Hammond, IN working in the manufacturing of artillery shells. Lela also enjoyed playing a variety of musical instruments. Family was very important to Lela, she truly loved her children, grandkids and great-grandkids and was a loving caregiver to her mother, sister, mother-in-law and husband in their declining days.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Randell and Dorothy Smith, Annapolis, IL; a daughter Jane E. Smith, Newton, IL; grandchildren Chris and Connie Smith, Robinson, IL; Randa and Micah Wilder, Greenfield, IN and Steven and Jennifer Smith, Annapolis, IL; great-grandchildren Allison Smith (Kyle Yealick), Christopher Smith Jr., Evan Wilder, Caitlin Wilder, Garrett Smith and Josh Smith. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law James and Joyce Baker, Tuscola, IL and Earl and Leah Baker, Oblong, IL; sisters-in-law Neva Baker, Effingham, IL and Janice Baker, Oblong, IL along with several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, one infant son, two brothers Paul Baker, Warren Baker, a sister and brother-in-law Mary and Walter “Mac” Miller, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Cleda and Leonard McCrory and Freda (Smith) Spencer.
Due to Covid, the immediate family thanks everyone for respecting their wishes to try to keep everyone safe and will have a private family memorial service commemorating Lela’s life. Phil Boyd will be presiding. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery.
She was born in Jasper County, IL on February 7, 1926 to Robert Isam (R I) and Pearl (Wiman) Baker. On November 22, 1947, she married Floyd Smith in Princeton, IN. They were married 50 years when he passed away on December 8, 1997.
Lela was a farm wife and homemaker. She was a member of the Oblong Township High School class of 1944 and in her earlier years was raised and active in the White Oak Christian Church. She enjoyed being a part of the LTC Singing Seniors, Home Extension, and as a member and past President of the Annapolis PTA that helped to bring many informative programs to the parents and students. Lela decorated wedding cakes, created stained glass pictures, etchings, quilted and gifted many picture quilts. Lela loved flying and in the hopes of ferrying planes to Europe during WWII, she soloed when she was 16 years old but, alas, she was 1 inch to short. So, instead shortly after graduating High School Lela moved to Hammond, IN working in the manufacturing of artillery shells. Lela also enjoyed playing a variety of musical instruments. Family was very important to Lela, she truly loved her children, grandkids and great-grandkids and was a loving caregiver to her mother, sister, mother-in-law and husband in their declining days.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law Randell and Dorothy Smith, Annapolis, IL; a daughter Jane E. Smith, Newton, IL; grandchildren Chris and Connie Smith, Robinson, IL; Randa and Micah Wilder, Greenfield, IN and Steven and Jennifer Smith, Annapolis, IL; great-grandchildren Allison Smith (Kyle Yealick), Christopher Smith Jr., Evan Wilder, Caitlin Wilder, Garrett Smith and Josh Smith. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law James and Joyce Baker, Tuscola, IL and Earl and Leah Baker, Oblong, IL; sisters-in-law Neva Baker, Effingham, IL and Janice Baker, Oblong, IL along with several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, one infant son, two brothers Paul Baker, Warren Baker, a sister and brother-in-law Mary and Walter “Mac” Miller, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Cleda and Leonard McCrory and Freda (Smith) Spencer.
Due to Covid, the immediate family thanks everyone for respecting their wishes to try to keep everyone safe and will have a private family memorial service commemorating Lela’s life. Phil Boyd will be presiding. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery.
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