Connie Smith, 82

Connie Marie Smith, 82, born Dec. 22, 1941, passed away June 2, 2024. 

Preceding her in death are Con’s husband, Marion Smith, and parents, Johanna (Honey) Thomas and Austin Charles Thomas.

Left behind with saddened hearts are her sisters Nancy Staton and Illa Phillips; brothers Ron Thomas (Kathy) and Rob Thomas (Darcy); and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

There is no easy place to start remembering in a few words a lifetime of laughter, adventures — and some misadventures — for our Connie. Those adventures on the back roads of Montana and Arizona, exploring ghost towns, rock hounding, gold panning, metal detecting and taking the "hundred-mile hikes," have made so many precious memories of our Connie. With nights sitting around campfires and telling so many stories, the least of which her famous rendition of the scary "Mole Man" tale, or The Hook, then sending the little kids off to bed with their sleeping bags pulled over their heads and eyes wide open, watching for the elusive Mole Man. Her ability to write her thoughts down in story form and was eventually published quite a few times in "Gold and Treasure" type magazines. Connie was the glue of so many memories that kept our families laughing and feeling loved. 

Not having children of her own, opened up her heart to her nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her "Ant," telling her siblings that their kids were "her kids too!"

Connie's love of God and family was undeniable, and much of her strength was drawn from her devotion to both. Con was there for us if ever she was needed, in all of our ups and downs, kicking our backside whenever a wake-up call was needed. Her wonderful sense of humor will be everlasting in our hearts and sorely missed!  

Connie is once again blazing the trail into her new and final adventure! 

Thank you, Con, for the privilege of having had you in our lives! Until we are together again, all our love!