Florence June Smith

BOUNTIFUL – Florence June Wariner Smith, 90, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 16, 2011. June was born at home June 10, 1921 in Roberta, Oklahoma the 10th of 11 children to Newton Lonzo and Myrta Augusta Hogue Wariner. She was told there was a tornado-like storm raging and the older children had to hold closed the doors and windows! So began the strength to live through all the storms of life with the love of her family surrounding her. She was raised in Texas and at the age of 15 was baptized by missionaries into the LDS Church. She loved the gospel and had a strong testimony of its truthfulness, and was active in the church all her life. Her last calling in her 80s was with the nursery children and volunteering in the Bishop’s Storehouse near her home. June moved as a teenager with her family to California where she met Verle Gardner Smith. She described him as “a true son of God.” They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on September 8, 1938. Together they were blessed with seven children and raised them in California and Utah. Three of her children preceded her in death. Verle passed away in 1969 and again she weathered the storms of widowhood for 42 years with the love of her family supporting her. It was her most fervent prayer that her family would all be together again forever. She worked hard all her life, but the job she most cherished was working for the LDS Church in the Provo Temple as the supervisor of the clothing department for 20 years. She retired in 1990 with a deep love and gratitude for the church and temple work. June then moved to Kaysville, Utah. June enjoyed reading and would regularly read two or three books a week until her mind and eyesight failed her. Even so, she still enjoyed reading the newspaper until her last day. She always loved to dance. She also loved shoes and was so upset at the age of 85 to have to give up high heels! She walked every day and everywhere and even at the end walked herself to her bed where she simply, quickly, and quietly slipped away. June was always so upbeat and grateful for anything that was done for her and for every “beautiful, beautiful, day!” The staff at the North Canyon Care Center in Bountiful not only gave her the most attentive and exemplary care but also displayed genuine love for their “June-bug.” Words cannot begin to express the gratitude of the family for the heroes and angels that were her constant companions. She often said, “I couldn’t ask for a better place to live. Everyone here is so good to me.” Bless you all! Surviving are her sons: Stanley B. (Gaylynn) Smith, Ephraim, UT; Steven G. (Barbara) Smith, Olympia, WA; Rex A. Smith, Auburn, WA; daughter, Michelene (Allen) Strong, Kaysville, UT; daughter-in-law, Karen Smith, Payson, UT; 36 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and brother, Cecil (Linda) Wariner, Ogden, UT. Preceded in death by her husband, Verle Smith; sons, Verle Smith Jr., Curtis Lynn Smith, and daughter, Susan Ruth Smith as well as many other family members that she missed so very much. Friends may visit family on Monday, June 20, 2011 from 11 to 12:30 p.m. at the Orchard LDS Ward Chapel, 1282 W. 1875 No., Farmington. At her request, a graveside service will be held in Westminster, CA on Thursday, June 23, 2011 where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband. Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.