Ora Smith
Posted on May 24, 2012 | 4 commentsPOCATELLO – Ora Smith, 92, of Pocatello, passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at a local care center.
She was born on October 14, 1919, in Widstoe, Utah, to Francis Marion Mangum and Sara Ann Smith. With her father being a miner, her family moved to follow the mines and lived in Hiawatha for a time before moving to Junction, Utah, where her family lived while her father went to work in the mines during the week.
Ora taught herself to play the guitar and loved to dance and so she became quite popular in high school. It was in high school that she met her husband, Kay LaMar Smith. They were married on June 10, 1937, in the Logan LDS Temple. They moved to Tyhee where they rented a small 2 bedroom apartment. They later moved to Sandpoint while Kay worked building barracks for the Army.
After moving back to Pocatello, Kay went to work for the Block Plant. Kay was injured on the job and then became ill. Ora went to work to support the family and worked for 4 years as a waitress. After Kay recovered, she helped him build houses. Later, they bought Tastee Treat and operated it for 15 years. They also owned the racetrack at the airport and she ran the concession stand there for many years.
Ora was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings and enjoyed serving in the primary. She also enjoyed being a dance instructor when the church still had a dance program.
Ora had 3 passions: work, genealogy, and dance. She also liked to crochet, quilt, and do ceramics.
She is survived by her son Val (Carolyn) Smith of Shelley, ID; son Thayle (Linda) Smith of American Falls, ID; son Kim George (Nanette) Smith of Pocatello; sister Caralee Terry of Pocatello; sister Anavoe Barnes of Downey, ID; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kay LaMar Smith; son Rodney Smith; daughter Arlene Smith.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Mountain View Cemetery. A visitation will be held on from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, and also from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. prior to the graveside service at the funeral home.
Dear, dear Ora. Have only known you for a very short time, but will always remember you and our conversations. Your smile, positive outlook on life (and things in general) will ALWAYS have a great effect on me. You helped me see things in a better way, and that there is much to be thankful for. Your granddaughter, Kari, who introduced us, is really alot like you, and i’m in her debt for our friendship. It was a privilege to have known you. Thank you. Tim.
Kim and Nanette, Sorry for your lose. How you can enjoy life knowing your mother is out of pain and hurting. You are in our prayers. Love ya
My empathy for your family at this time. I will always remember Ora as a kind cousin when I was a child in Pocatello. I wish I had known her better but I moved away from Pocatello when I married. Cleva kept ion touch with her for the family.
ira you are such a wonderfull person and i will miss you so very much. and i love you so very much