Joan Smith

Click Here To View Memorial Video Joan C. Hughes Smith, 86, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 30, 2014, at her home of natural causes. Joan was born March 6, 1928, in Preston, Idaho, to Laurn E. Crookston and Blanche Pond Crookston. She attended schools in Logan, Utah, and graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah. She attended Utah State University in Logan for three years, where she majored in Art and Textiles and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. On August 10, 1948, she married J. Keith Hughes in the Logan LDS Temple. They began their married life in Logan, where Keith was employed by the Utah State Extension Service. They later moved to St. George, Utah, where Keith was the Washington County Agent for seven years. While there, Joan was active in the 4-H program as a youth leader. She and Keith made many dear friends and were members of the St. George Study Club. In 1961, they accepted a job in Moses Lake, Washington, where Keith was employed with the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. After four years in Washington, they moved to Rigby, Idaho for three years, then settled in Ucon. Keith passed away suddenly on August 20, 1969, of acute myeloblastic leukemia, leaving Joan a widow with six children to raise. Joan was fortunate to find a second wonderful husband and sweetheart. She married Cecil Jack Smith on June 2, 1972, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Jack had recently lost his lovely wife, Wanda, in a tragic accident, and he met Joan at an LDS singles' group. The Smiths continued to live in Ucon, where they raised their family. In 1993, Jack and Joan served an 18-month LDS mission to Jacksonville, Florida. They moved to Idaho Falls when they returned home. Joan taught piano to many area children. She was a trained cosmetic counselor for Fashion Two-Twenty, and after her children were grown she worked as private secretary for the Idaho Falls City Clerk, and as secretary and technician at EG&G Idaho. Throughout her life, she maintained her talent with shorthand and used it regularly. Joan was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served faithfully in stake and ward Primary, MIA, Sunday School, and Relief Society. She also served as ward organist and accompanied the choir. Her favorite calling was that of the Ward Newsletter editor. She found great enjoyment in writing the monthly newsletter for the Parkwood Ward, and most recently for her new ward, the Sand Creek First Ward. She also cherished her many years serving as a temple officiator with Jack at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. She loved music and was an accomplished pianist and organist. She loved to sing in the choir and was a member of the Chansonettes singing group in Rigby; each year she wrote the script for their annual concert. She was a former member of the Rigby Study Club and enjoyed her association with her Rigby friends. Joan loved to write poetry and found great satisfaction in sharing her thoughts with others through her poetry. When the home computer age came into being, she was among the first to have one. Even at the age of 86, she continued to keep her computer chair warm, organizing and chronicling anything and everything. Joan had a zest for life and was always busy with one project or another. She loved the Lord, and she loved her family. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and her presence will be immensely missed. Survivors include her children: Gregory (Patti) Hughes of Ucon, ID; Diana (Richard) Barney of Lewisville, ID; Rod (Kelli) Hughes of Idaho Falls, ID; Ann Hughes of Heber City, UT; Camille (Jim) Johnson of Ucon, ID; and Kurtis (Candace) Hughes of North Salt Lake, UT; stepson, Jack Lee (Renda) Smith of Idaho Falls, ID; son-in-law, Lynn (Loretta) Bendz of Bozeman, MT; sister, Laurna (Richard) Lundberg of Ammon, ID; sisters-in-law, Shirley Spence of Wellsville, UT; Carol (Ford) Call of Wapello, ID; Geneil (Clyde) Anderson of Logan, UT; Jerri (Don) Guymon of Idaho Falls, ID; brothers-in-law, Ersel Heath of Idaho Falls, ID; Glenn (Elma Jean) Smith of Idaho Falls, ID; and Max Smith of Castro Valley, CA. She has 40 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith; step-daughter, Carla Bendz; and sister, Gayle C. Miller. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2014, at the Idaho Falls LDS Sand Creek First Ward, 885 S. Boulevard in Idaho Falls, with Bishop Brian McBride officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Wood Funeral Home, 963 South Ammon Road, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the Mendon Cemetery in Mendon, Utah.

Funeral Services will be held

11:00 a.m. ,Friday, December 5, 2014 Idaho Falls LDS Sand Creek First Ward 885 South Boulevard Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Wood Funeral Home, 963 S. Ammon Road, and 10-10:45 a.m. Friday prior to services at the church. Burial will be at the Mendon Cemetery in Mendon, Utah.