Leola Elizabeth Yates Smith

Leola Elizabeth Yates Smith passed away peacefully on May 22, 2013 surrounded by her loving family in her home. With unfailing faith and courage she endured cheerfully to the end.

Leola was born on January 9, 1925 in Salt Lake City to John Elmer Yates and Effie Crane Yates. She attended South High School and LDS Business College and worked at Federal Reserve Bank. She was also a seamstress for Hollywood Maxwell Clothing.

Leola said goodbye to her childhood sweetheart, Stanley G. Smith, as he left to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II. As a B-17 pilot he was shot down over Germany and was declared MIA. Leola waited and prayed anxiously for news of his survival. Through divine providence Stan's life was spared, and they were married on June 25, 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. They built a home in Canyon Rim where they have lived for nearly 70 years. Their family grew to include six children: Sandra (Chad Stanger), Bruce (Helen Holbrook), Valerie (Todd Andersen), Laurel (James Hart), Andrea (Ron Wagstaff), and Blaine (Lori Hesterman). They now have 30 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren.

Leola cherished her membership in the LDS church, serving in Primary, MIA, and as Relief Society President under three different bishops. In her later years she served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple alongside her husband for ten years.

She was always supportive of her husband's many church assignments, accompanying him to South Africa and San Diego where he supervised the building of two LDS temples in those areas from 1983 to 1993. While in South Africa Leola taught the Zulu women cross stitching, quilting, and other homemaking skills. She valued her association with those humble women, and they loved her dearly. In San Diego she welcomed dozens of visitors into their home and was always the perfect hostess, seeing to her guests' every need and comfort. She also served in the Relief Society Presidency in both places.

Leola was first and foremost a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, and no one enjoyed these roles more than she did. Celebrating holiday and family traditions with her loved ones was her favorite thing to do. Sewing, gardening, canning, cooking, and decorating were skills she mastered. She was well known for the beautiful flower gardens she tended.

No one was a more compassionate, tender-hearted, cheerful, and empathetic friend than Leola. Her great gift was giving service and always knowing the right thing to say. No one ever left her side without feeling better about themselves. She was always focused on the needs of others. These attributes made her well loved in her neighborhood and community.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, her six children, a brother, Morray, a sister, Karma, and a niece she raised, Kaye Land. Her parents and her brother, Jay, preceded her in death.

The Smith family wishes to express their gratitude to Emily Curtis, Leola's caregiver of nearly three years for her tender and compassionate care. Leola looked upon Emily as a family member.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday May 29, 2013 at the Rosecrest 2nd LDS Ward building, 3101 South 2300 East. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and also at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online memories and tributes can be posted for the family at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com