Marion J. Smith

Marion Jackson Smith passed into God’s arms April 5, 2017 surrounded by her family in Carlsbad, CA. She was 95. She lived a life dedicated to God and her Christian faith, her family and her community.

Marion was born to John Henry Jackson and Lillian Crandell Jackson in Cashmere WA. She moved with her parents at a young age to an orange ranch in Duarte California. She attended Duarte School, Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Monrovia. In 1942, she married William George Smith. Together they had three children, William Jackson Smith (wife Barbara Capper Smith) of Monarch Beach CA, Laurie Anne Waid (husband Stephen Waid) of Escondido CA, and Dean Edward Smith (wife Crestienne Reynolds) of Bass Lake CA.

Bill and Marion lived in Arcadia for over 40 years, Bill as prinicipal of Holly Avenue School and Marion, a stay at home mom and an active member of the music community. After her youngest child began school, she returned to college and received her degree and teaching credentials from Cal State Los Angeles through much diligence and perseverance, managing her family and education simultaneously. She began teaching in the Temple City Unified School District in 1965 and taught first grade and specialized reading until she was 70. At the same time, she always was an active Sunday School teacher and member at the Temple City First Baptist Church. Also, she and Bill traveled extensively within the US and internationally, always bringing their strong faith with them to share with others they met throughout the world.

Marion began playing the harp at age 12 and continued playing for others until she was over ninety. She taught numerous people how to play. She was President of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Harp Society and honored for her work with that organization.

Marion and Bill moved part time to Carpentaria CA in 1988 where their youngest son, Dean, and his family resided. Together they supported the formation of a local church and became part of the Carpentaria community, eventually moving there full time. Until health required her to relocate to Carlsbad near her daughter in 2015, Marion was active in the Christian community including Reality Church Carpentaria, Bible Study Fellowship, retired teachers community and volunteered at numerous organizations including Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and the Braille Institute, teaching English as a second language and harp, and helping those through her church and community.

Due to serious health issues two years ago, Marion moved to be closer to her daughter’s family and son in Southern California. At Brookdale Carlsbad Assisted Living Residence she made friends and enjoyed the freedom of loving assistance from the staff there. Her tablemates at meals were her extended family, and she loved them all. She participated in day trips and fun activities till shortly before she died. She was the driving power behind getting a Christian church service available at her facility each Sunday so they could all experience worship together without leaving the residence.

Marion is survived by her three children and their spouses, former daughter in law Sheri Owens Smith, Grandchildren Scott Waid, Corinna Waid Reese, Todd Smith, Melinda McLain, Andrew Smith and Sterling Smith. She has eleven great grandchildren ranging from 17 to 4 months. She loved each and every one of them and prayed for them daily, and will be greatly missed by all of her family.

Marion’s family wishes to extend much thanks to Pastors Trevor and Dahl Scott of Preach the Word Ministries, the hospice team from Elizabeth Hospice, and the staff of Brookdale Carlsbad for their loving care and continued encouragement for Marion in her last weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) or Focus on the Family. Marion strongly supported these organizations throughout her life.

For more information, a chance to leave a comment and a slide show of her life, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com/turner-stevens-live-oak-mortuary.]