Josephine MaRea Smith

LOCATION CHANGE - New Location - SMITHFIELD EAST STAKE CENTER - 600 East 120 South, Smithfield, Utah

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Our sweet mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Josephine MaRea Johnson Smith, 100, passed away into the loving arms of her eternal sweetheart on Monday, February 6, 2023.

Josephine “Jo MaRea” was born August 13, 1922 in Chesterfield, Idaho. She was the daughter of Fredrick and Annie Estella Johnson.

She grew up as a farm girl and was very proud of her pioneer heritage.

Her childhood was happy; she worked hard and loved adventure. She loved her horses and cows. Some of her favorite memories were riding her horse, Flax, and working side by side with her brother Albert, who affectionately called her Peep.

She attended school in Hatch and Bancroft, Idaho, graduating from North Gem High School in 1940.  Her interest in nursing led her to attend nursing school in Salt Lake City, Utah earning her degree as an LPN.

Nursing was one of her many passions in life. She loved and was loved by her patients and many co-workers. She worked at the Star Valley Hospital in Afton, Wyoming and later became the night supervisor at the Sunshine Terrace in Logan, Utah.

Jo MaRea met her husband-to-be, John Sivell Smith at a music class in Bancroft, Idaho. From that first moment, John never had eyes for any other girl and knew his life was to be bound with hers. They were married on October 12, 1942, in the Logan Utah Temple. To this union they added 6 daughters and 2 sons. They became a partnership owning and caring for farms in Thatcher, Idaho; Auburn, Wyoming; and Trenton, Utah.

From 1976 to 1980 John and Josephine owned a jewelry store called The Country Stop.  They learned how to make beautiful turquoise jewelry.  John became a silversmith and Josephine an expert in beaded necklaces and earrings.  Many beautiful rings, bolo ties, watch bands and necklaces were made and sold. 

In 1987, they left farming behind and moved to Smithfield, Utah landscaping a large yard and garden to raise apple, peach, pear, English walnut trees, roses in all their varieties, and several different flowers. It truly was enchanting.

She enjoyed watching old-time movies, watching her roses and fruit trees grow, and giving special attention to her little dog, Daizy.  Canning was an annual event which became a lesson in self-reliance for her family. She loved a good party, planning a good prank, homemade chocolates, (or both combined by making chocolate covered cotton balls), playing jacks, dancing, and music. She always found time to support and sacrifice all that she had to make sure her children excelled in music. She had a boundless capacity for compassion and inspired a deep love from those who knew her.

Josephine was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She served in many callings and enjoyed serving in the Logan Utah Temple.  She had a beautiful testimony of her Savior, His Gospel, and His love for each of us as His children.

Josephine is survived by her loving family including Janice (Kenneth- deceased) Garner, Jo Marie (Steven-deceased) Poppleton, Beth (Doyle) Serr, Clair (Ann- deceased) Smith, Marilyn (Terry) Christensen, and Melody Pendleton (Kenneth) Dicken.

She has 34 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

Josephine is preceded in death by her husband, John Sivell Smith; her parents Frederick Johnson and Annie Estella Simons Johnson; all her brothers and sisters; all of John’s brothers and sisters; son John Lynn Smith; daughter Gayle J. Smith; daughter-in-law Ann C. Smith; son-in-laws Kenneth E. Garner, Steven L. Poppleton and Dean L Pendleton; grandsons John William Garner and Stuart Joshua Pendleton, Patrick Reuben Serr; great-grandson Anthony Scott Brennan;  great-granddaughter Mikayla Jordan Serr; and great-great granddaughter Lydia Bella Jessen.

There will be a viewing on Saturday, February 18th from 9:00 to 10:30 am at the Smithfield East Stake Center, 600 East 120 South, Smithfield, Utah.  The funeral service will follow beginning at 11:00 am.

Burial will be at the Thatcher Idaho Cemetery, on Thatcher Cemetery Road, Thatcher, Idaho at 2:00 pm. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of White Pine Funeral home.

A special thanks to CNS Home Health & Hospice for their loving and compassionate care given to our mother. The family would like to extend our deepest heartfelt gratitude to Nurse Debbie Kimber, Debra Smith, Tyler Wray, Helen Gittins, Dan Judd and special friend Jennifer Shumway…Thank You!!

Love you, Mom!  Enjoy riding “Old Flax” again!