Emily Sue Smith

Emily Sue Smith was born on March 7, 1938 in Seminole, Oklahoma, and departed from this life on April 8, 2020. She was the daughter of Martin Erick Lust and Eva Mae (Quinalty) Lust. She married Mitchell Pickens and

of that union a daughter, Nina, was born. Nina was adopted by Sue’s second husband, Charles Lee Smith. Sue and Charlie were married on August 30, 1969 in Denver Colorado. Last year they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary

Sue grew up in the Denver area. Her youth was spent in the home of her Grandmother. Sue taught her grandmother how to read and write English. All her aunts, uncles and cousins lived in the same three-story house.

During her first marriage, Sue lived in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was a gun smith. Sue also worked on the ranch with cattle and horses. Her love of hunting and fishing was a major part of the days she enjoyed there. Her constant companion on her adventures was her dog, Jacks.

In her professional life Sue was an Offset Pressman Photo Strip and Plat Maker. She also was involved in the drawing of the blueprints for the former Stapleton Airport. The NORTH TV was a repair shop that she and her husband, Charles, ran for many years. Since Charlie was legally blind, she was the errand lady, receptionist, and bookkeeper for the shop and Charlie was the repair man.

Charles and Sue spent many hours scuba diving. Her interest in oceanography was insatiable. She was an avid reader and anything that she was curious about she would research. Her favorite shows to watch on the television were those about science, animals and classical music, and vintage black and white movies. She also enjoyed gardening.

Sue attended the University of Colorado at Denver. She studied Art, Philosophy and Theoretical Physics. She was always on the Deans Honor List. Her education was abruptly ended after a vehicle accident that left her in the hospital for months and several more months of rehabilitation.

She also was a very accomplished artist. Our family was blessed and felt special she would give a piece of her art to them. She also was fascinated by and collected fossils from the ocean.

Sue shared her love of classical music with her daughter, Nina. They would spend hours going to auditions for Nina and her cello. Nina’s dedication and hours spent practicing was acknowledged when she became a member of the Young Artist Orchestra.

Sue had three mini strokes one night during her sleep and the next morning she could not keep her balance and was unable to walk without falling down. The strokes also caused her to lose her eyesight except for a tiny pinhole of vision. The last three years were spent in a Retirement Home. Prior to this, Charles had several eye surgeries and regained his vision as Sue had lost hers.

She found comfort during her years at the Retirement Home with the visits of the love of her life, Charles. He would be at her side daily. When he walked into the room and she recognized him, her face and eyes would light up. He would bring her gifts and her favorites were when he would bring her stuffed animals. It would make her giggle when he would put her sunglasses on the stuffed animals. She slept with them every night.

Sue was predeceased by her parents and sister, Barbara Anne Gore; and her brother-In-Law, Lawrence Lee Smith.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Lee Smith, Denver, Colorado; daughter Nina Laferla (Jim) Omaha, Nebraska; granddaughter, Taylor Michelle Steinman, Denver, Colorado; sisters-in-law, Laura Gilhousen (Dennis) Norton, Kansas, and Sandy Lee Smith, Norton, Kansas. Also, many nieces and nephews.

The sudden loss of our dear Sue from undiagnosed thyroid cancer has been heartbreaking. Sue will always be remembered for her strong will, her talents, and her appetite for knowledge and love for her family.

Please keep Charles, Nina, Taylor and the family in your prayers for the strength needed to get through this sad time and find comfort in knowing that she will live on in our hearts forever.