Source: ancestry.com

Thomas, Leah Aileen Smith
Leah Aileen Smith Thomas Leah Aileen Smith Thomas left this earth peacefully
from her Spanish Fork, Utah, home, during the early hours of August 5th, 2005,
due to age related tribulations. Her husband and children, whom she loved so
deeply, were by her side at the time of her passing. Leah was born November
25, 1924, in Santaquin Utah, the seventh of fourteen children raised by Fred
and Mary Smith. She lived a humble existence while growing up, and toiled
intensely to help the large Smith family survive. This taught her the value of
hard work and the interdependence that family members have with one another.
She met and fell in love with Blaine Arther Thomas, of Spanish Fork, Utah, and
the couple exchanged their wedding vows on September 15, 1941. Their first
child was born while Blaine was serving his country in Europe during WWII.
After the war, they settled in Spanish Fork, where Leah became a devoted wife
and loving mother of five: Lanette (Larry) Newbold, West Valley; Cherie
Carter, Payson; Randall (Sharon) Thomas, Provo; Marsha (John) Furguson, Moab;
and Barbara (Richard) Lundell, Lancaster, Ohio. Leah enjoyed spending time
with her family, camping, fishing, gardening, sewing, and cooking. She
especially took great pleasure in delighting the children of the neighborhood
with her puffed rice balls on Halloween. She cherished the holidays and always
elaborately decorated her home for Christmas. Leah is survived by her husband,
children, two sisters, 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and two
great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, five
brothers, six sisters, son-in-law, Ronald Carter, and grandchildren, Bobby
George Newbold and Jeffery Higley. Funeral arrangements are being handled by
Walker Family Mortuary, 187 South Main, Spanish Fork, Utah. Viewing will be
Monday, August 8, from 6-8 p.m.; and, Tuesday, August 9, from 10-10:45 a.m.
The funeral service will be Tuesday, August 9, at 11 a.m. The family extends
special thanks to grandson, Chad Carter, for all his thoughtful support; Robin
Peabody of Hospice; and the staff of Hearthstone for their time and gracious
care.
Published in the Daily Herald on 8/7/2005.