March 28, 2024

Linda Smith

Linda Lee Smith, daughter of Everett Wesley Smith and Delores Irene Smith was born Feb. 25, 1943, in Osceola and passed from this life Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at 78 years of age.

Linda received her education in Murray, where she graduated from Murray High School. Following High School, Linda was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, James P. Miller, on Feb. 24, 1962, in Creston. Linda and James went on to have a son, Lon Michael Miller. Later, Linda, Jim and Lon moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Linda would become a mom to a baby girl, Angela Bridget.

James and Linda later divorced but remained great friends over the years. Linda went on to get her cosmetology license and style hair for many years. She had many other jobs and was well liked for those such as a CNA, bartender and employee of Murray Schools. She loved driving the van to transport children and being well known as the ice cream lady, however, her biggest passion was her grandsons, Payton John and Avery James Flaherty, sons of her daughter, Angela.

Linda was a talented writer and was known to compose many of her own poetry writings. She was a true animal lover and fostered many strays over the years. She was also a talented seamstress and loved crafting over the years.

Those relatives who preceded Linda in death were her grandparents, Clair and Jesse DeVore; Bessie and Jonah Smith; parents, Everett Wesley Smith and Loreda Irene Smith,  brother, Ray Smith, sister, Betty Morris, brother, Ronnie Smith, brothers-in-law, Gene Batanni and Darrell Morris; nephews, David and Shawn Smith and great-nephew, Kyle Wilson.

Linda leaves to cherish her memory; children, Lon (Theresa) Miller of Farmington, MI and Angela Flaherty of Murray; grandsons: Payton John Flaherty of the U.S. Air Force in Wyoming and Avery James Flaherty of Murray; sisters: Shirley Battani of Red Oak, Anne Smith of Leon, Debbie (Dennis) Gibbons of Lorimor and Robin (Tom) Shannon of Murray; sisters-in-law Helen Smith and Linda Smith; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Sept. 20, 2021, at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, with Eddie Otto officiating.

A livestream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Linda’s tribute wall beginning at 11 a.m. Monday. Interment will follow in the Murray Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Murray Community Schools Murray, IA 50174, or the Clarke County Animal Shelter. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com