A. LaRetta Smith

A. LaRetta Smith THATCHER, Utah – Annie LaRetta Wakefield Smith took ‘Wingless flight’ from this veil of tears back to her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. She said she was as old as the hills, but she was only 95 ½. She was born December 27, 1911, at Grouse Creek, Utah, to Milas Erastus and Annie Elizabeth Kimber Wakefield. She may have been born on a cold winter day, but she always had a warm heart for people and animals. She always said that at sometime, some place, everyone is going to be held accountable for the way they have treated children and animals, and all helpless things. Along with a group of three, sometimes four, LaRetta played the organ at the local care center for approximately 15 years. The group played for many Ward and Stake functions as well as in other areas for special occasions. Earlier she, her husband and a friend played for square, and other dances, for six years. LaRetta was educated in Grouse Creek and Ogden schools, graduating from Ogden High School in 1930. She said she also graduated, or was continuing the schooling, at the University of Hard Knocks. On March 2, 1931 LaRetta married Harold Chester Smith at Elko, Nevada. The marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. Harold passed away October 15, 1986. LaRetta always said she didn’t know just where she would end up as she didn’t think she had done any great services, or helped anyone that would warrant her a mansion in Heaven. Her life spanned many years and she remembered many historical events such as World War I, the Depression and World War II. She remembered, and often talked about, the old Central Railroad when it was in operation north of Great Salt Lake, and the many trips she made across the old trestle which preceded the present fill crossing the lake. At the time they were married, Harold was a Telegrapher for the Southern Pacific Railroad, but some years later the railroad cut forces and he went into the Indian Service as project manager on a Reservation in Nevada and later was transferred to Wyoming, where he later enlisted in the Navy during World War II. LaRetta learned a lot about Indians, especially when she substituted teaching there, and also worked in the Post Office. After Harold’s enlistment LaRetta and Shirley Rae moved to Boise, Idaho where She worked as a Receptionist-Private Secretary for Allied Corp. out of New York. LaRetta became a farm worker when, after the war, they bought a farm in Southern Idaho, and, later a cattle ranch in Northern Idaho. Even later they bought a motel in Washington which they operated. She used to say if she told everything she had done, places she had been, people would think she must be at least 150 years old. The hats she wore were many: postal worker, private secretary, substitute teacher, farmers wife, member of local and county school boards, sold Avon, taught piano, drove school bus, was a wife, mother, foster parent and motel manager. She was Mother of one daughter, Shirley Rae, and helped to raise two nieces and a nephew. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in all Ward callings that women can, except Primary President. She was also an assistant Ward Clerk, and was organist in all auxiliaries. She loved good music, reading, crocheting, gardening, flowers, oil painting, and most of all, her family. She wrote poetry and composed some music about her family. She is survived by daughter, Shirley Rae Jones, Thatcher, Utah; granddaughters, Kara (Mike) Stevenson, Kaysville; Donna Sheehan, Las Vegas, NV; great-grandchildren, Lindsay, Alex and Emily Stevenson; Tia and Tyler Jeppesen; nieces Bonnie Wakefield, Sigafus, Lexington, KY; Beth Wakefield Walker, Burlington, NC; nephew Larry Wakefield, Ogden; and many other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters, Leona Carson, Sarah Tanner, Julia Frost; brothers, Jack, Arlin, Don, George (Ellis), Claude, Elwood and Leland, and nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday at 12 noon at the Thatcher Penrose 2nd Ward Chapel, 10400 North 11475 West, with Bishop Todd Thornley officiating. Friends may call at the Ward Chapel on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday 10 to 11:45 a.m. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery. Funeral Directors, Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary. Email condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com