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Jannie Smith-Calvin, 93, of Surprise, Arizona, formerly of Creston, died Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Surprise, Arizona, with daughter Diana by her side. Celebration of Life graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 13, at Graceland Cemetery near Creston. The burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Pastor Chuck Spindler will officiate. Powers Funeral Home is assisting with services.
Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Jannie was born Dec. 4, 1929, to Pierce and Ada Clymer in Bicknell, Indiana. She was educated at Bicknell schools and later attended the Salvation Army College where she met the love of her life and first husband Vernie Smith. The Salvation Army stayed near and dear to Jannie’s heart.
She was united in marriage April 21, 1954, to Vernie Ray Smith in Kansas City, Missouri. Jannie has done many things throughout her life to which she and her husband fostered over 100 children and of those 100, adopted three and became legal guardians of two. Those being: Dennis Smith, John (Bubba) Smith, Diana (Smith) Manuel, Raymond Holmes Smith and Chad Allen Smith (deceased). She provided an open door for any child or teen that needed a home. Vernie died in 1982.
In July 1987, Jannie married LeRoy Calvin in Grant City, Missouri. Jannie was revered for all her volunteer work for the State of Iowa, not to mention her time as mayor for the city of Kent. LeRoy died in 2018.
Those left to honor her memory include Dennis Smith of Creston, John (Bubba) Smith and friend Janette of Creston, Raymond Holmes Smith of Afton, daughter Diana (Smith) Manuel and husband Elton of Arizona and a stepdaughter Sandra Hill and husband of Maui, Hawaii, as well many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Jannie was preceded in death by her first husband Vernie Smith; second husband LeRoy Calvin; son Chad Smith; father and mother, Pierce and Ada Clymer; sisters: Wanda, Margie, Geneva, Gretna and Ruth and brothers James, Pierce, Clarence, William, Arthur and Jackie.