Stannie Beth Park Smith, 89, the beloved mother of nine children, passed away peacefully on November 27th at her home in Thatcher, Idaho.  She was known for  her devotion to her family and church, her sense of humor, her love of music, her work ethic, her positive outlook on life, her love of games, sports and interacting with family and friends, as well as many other talents and abilities that she so lovingly shared.

Beth, as she was known, was born in Murray, Utah on August 20, 1931 to John Sidrick Park and Stannie Amelia Burt. She was the only girl in a family of six loud, rough-housing brothers, so of course, she had another nickname of "Pete" in her younger years.  She spent her first couple of years of life in Garfield, Utah before her family moved to Bennion, Utah when she was five.  Beth attended Plymouth Elementary and Junior High Schools.  At Granite High School, she was a cheerleader, a fanatic in sports, acted in school plays and graduated with honors in Seminary.

While in high school, Beth began dating Joseph W. Smith, a good friend of her older brother, Wayne.  Joseph lived just a mile down the road from the Park's.  While faithfully waiting for Joseph as he served a 30-month mission in the Eastern States, Beth worked as a bookkeeper for the Commercial Credit Corporation.  She was a superb, fast typist, which prepared her for handling the budget and taxes for her future family. With the money she saved, she bought furniture and sent out their wedding invitations three weeks before Joseph arrived home from his mission.  She was always prepared! Beth and Joseph married soon after his return home.  Their first residence was the home of Joseph's Aunt Agnes.  They later moved to the attic of Joseph's parents' home and eventually to a new home on 2200 West in Taylorsville, Utah.  After raising their nine children, they moved to a new home that Joseph built on property they owned in Thatcher, Idaho in 1995.

Beth was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served as Ward Young Women's president, Relief Society President, Primary president, Cub Scout leader, and many other callings. Her favorite calling was Stake Young Women's president, as it gave her a chance to spend time with youth and play pranks on them.  Beth also served three missions with Joseph:  Sydney, Australia (family history); Durban, South Africa (mission presidency); and Recife Brazil (temple workers).  Learning Portuguese in their 70's was not their "dream come true!"

Beth, who had a beautiful alto voice, sang with some dear friends in an a cappella trio, as well as duets with her brother, Wayne.  They sang in many ward and stake programs, as well as in shopping malls during the holidays.  Beth's typing skills were greatly appreciated by her father-in-law, Samuel S. Smith, who was a stake patriarch for many years.  She typed more than 1,400 blessings with an old, hard-to-push Corona typewriter, and later on, a Remington.

Beth made friends wherever she went.  Her dearest friends were those that she grew up with starting in Kindergarten, and remained life-long friends.  They would get together once a month for a game party night, even in her later years.

Mother, Grandma and Great-Grandma's living posterity includes her nine children and spouses; Steven and Raquel Smith of Thatcher, Idaho; Kathy and Jim Wilson of Post Falls, Idaho; Marianne and Paul Howard of Taylorsville, Utah; Jody and Randy Jones of Leesburg, Virginia; Jackie and Brent Cook of Highland, Utah; Michelle and Ron Shaw of Heber, Utah; Debbie and Ken Johnson of Lehi, Utah, Richard and Connie Smith of Thatcher, Idaho; Patty and Kyle LeCates of Highland, Utah.  Beth has 70 beautiful grandchildren and 184 precious great- grandchildren and more on the way.  She was preceded in death by her spouse, Joseph W. Smith; her parents, Sidrick and Stannie Park; her brothers, Max, Burt, Bud, Claude, Wayne and Craig; and her wonderful granddaughter, who was named after her, Bethany Smith.

The Memorial Services will be the following:

Held at Williams Ward

Please send flowers to:  SIMS Funeral Home

139 East 2 ^nd South

Soda Springs, Idaho  83276

208-547-3742

www.simsfh.com

simsfuneralhome@gmail.com

Listen to service: