Alma Louise Smith
Alma Louise Smith
Alma Louise Smith
December 15, 1923 – July 24, 2017
Boone (Eddyville), Iowa | Age 93
Alma Louise Smith, age 93, of Boone, Iowa and formerly of Eddyville, Iowa passed away Monday, July 24, 2017, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa. Alma was born on December 15, 1923 on a farm in Mahaska County near Cedar, Iowa. Alma is the daughter of Harry Lee and Zora Bell (Williams) McMurray.
Alma graduated from Cedar High School, Class of 1942.
Alma worked at the Five and Dime Store in Oskaloosa and later was employed at the Oskaloosa Overall Factory. On January 10, 1946 Alma was united in marriage to the love of her life, Dale Eugene Smith at the Smith family home in rural Eddyville.
They briefly made their home in Ottumwa before buying a farm west of Eddyville. They moved to the farm three days after the birth of their son, Marvin, in February 1947. Alma became a fulltime farm housewife and mother with no running water and no electricity in a converted chicken coop on a dirt road. She saw lots of change and progress while on the farm and even some tragedy when a son, Bruce, was still-born in 1954. Happiness blossomed when a daughter, Dalene, was born in March 1956. Alma and Dale built a new home in 1959 and life was good.
Alma loved her Lord, and held many positions at the First Christian Church of Eddyville. She worked for the Eddyville School Board and volunteered at the Ottumwa Hospital mending bed sheets and gowns.
Alma had a passion for sewing, crocheting, embroidery and quilting. She entered numerous creations in the Iowa State Fair. Many hours were spent square dancing and card playing – endearing her to friends and family and creating many memories to cherish for generations. She had a great love for her family, especially her grandchildren.
Alma and Dale wintered in Texas for over 25 years and traveled extensively in the US and abroad. Alma and Dale celebrated 57 years of marriage before Dale’s passing on February 7, 2003.
Her smile, laugh, and zany antics were her gift to us all!
Alma is survived by her children; Marvin (& Diane) Smith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Dalene (& Steve) O’Brien of Boone, Iowa; three grandchildren: Shawn (& Randy) Gibbs, Amy (& David) Keber, Katie (& Mike Espinoza) O’Brien; seven great grandchildren: Curtis Gibbs, Alexis Gibbs, Hannah Gibbs, Katelyn Gibbs, Lucy Keber, Daisy Keber, and arriving in November 2017 Baby Elijah Espinoza; and two great-great grandchildren, Hunter and Brady Gibbs.
Alma is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; and one son at birth.
A Visitation for Alma will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Sunday, July 30, 2017, at the Eddyville Funeral Chapel. Alma’s family will be greeting friends during this time.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., on Monday, July 31, 2017 at the First Christian Church of Eddyville, with Pastor Nick Hughes officiating.
Burial will immediately follow the service at Highland Cemetery in Eddyville, Iowa.
A memorial in Alma’s memory may be left to the First Christian Church of Eddyville.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alma Louise Smith please visit Eddyville Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
