Shirley Smith

Shirley Jean Smith, 88, passed away peacefully and gracefully surrounded by family in her home on Sunday, March 5, 2023. She had just finished sharing her daily devotional on that Sunday morning with her son and daughter-in-law, a beautiful Bible passage from Romans 12 that included verses that exemplified the way Shirley lived.

“Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them.”

“Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all!”

“Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through.”

She was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 26, 1934, to Alma and Robert Keith and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon in 1952.

Shirley married the love of her life, Robert Charles Smith on February 20, 1959 and together they raised their two children, Mike and DeAnn, while residing in Oregon, Washington, New Hampshire and Illinois. Shirley and Bob spent their retirement years together living in Winston Salem, NC and Oklahoma City, OK. They were blessed with six grandchildren and three great grandchildren who all loved them dearly.

While they journeyed to far-away places like Alaska, Scotland and London, and enjoyed a number of family vacations in Myrtle Beach, SC, most of their travels were back to Illinois to visit their children and grandchildren.

Shirley and Bob were married for 61 wonderful years before Bob passed away in December of 2020. They were devoted to each other and were truly each other’s best friend. They had a love and a partnership that will inspire their family for generations.

Our mother, grandmother and great grandmother was a humble, faithful, loving and dignified woman who lived a courageous and inspiring life full of grace. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her late 30’s, she had the strength and will to live with the disease for over 50 years without ever allowing it to get the best of her, still walking to get her exercise and keep her legs strong just moments before her peaceful passing.

She was a very talented artist, creating lifelong memories through elaborate holiday scenes on the large picture windows of their homes, commemorative silhouettes of her children and grandchildren celebrating their births, and countless nature scenes that adorn the homes of her children. In addition to her drawing and painting, she also loved reading mysteries, challenging herself through game shows and playing cards with friends (as long as they didn’t get too competitive!)

Shirley was a loyal and devoted friend, remaining in contact with childhood friends throughout her entire life, and she truly appreciated the close friendships she formed in recent years that included Virginia, Elenor, Rebecca and Buddy.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Charles Smith, her parents, Alma Keith Goldsmith and Robert Keith, her stepfather Victor Goldsmith, her brother Neil Keith, sister-in-law Lois Keith, her sister-in-law Linda Lee Smith, and her granddaughter Corinne Dinges.

She is survived by her children, daughter DeAnn (Mark) Mitchener of Oklahoma City, son Mike (Erin) Smith of Crystal Lake, Illinois; grandchildren, Alexandra Dinges (Derek Peterson), Brittani (Ryan) Ward, Morgan (Alex) Burkle, Rachel Smith (Gabriella Andriulli), Keith Smith, and great grandchildren Eloise Burkle, Amelia Burkle, and Isla Ward.

Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, we love you and will miss you more than words can ever express. Rest in peace reunited with our Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa after a gracious life well lived.

Her family would like to ask those who wish to celebrate Shirley’s life to please consider making a donation in Shirley and Robert Smith’s name to Boys and Girls Aid, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd., Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97219. (503) 222-9661 www.boysandgirlsaid.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the Smith family.