Alberta Marie Smith

Former Yuma County Assessor Alberta Marie Smith passed away peacefully, with courage, honor and dignity, in Phoenix on January 4, 2012 after a short illness. Alberta was 78 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Herbert O. Smith.

Alberta was virtually a lifelong resident of Arizona, having moved here from Missouri when she was three years old. She resided in the Yuma area for over 60 years - raising her children in Somerton before moving to Yuma in 1967. Alberta and Herb moved to Phoenix in 1996 to be near their children.

Alberta was flamboyant in life and passionate about politics. An active member of the Democratic Party, she was heavily involved as a precinct committeeman, a member of the Yuma County Democratic Central Committee, Recording Secretary for the State Democratic Party in 1975, and Past President and Secretary of the Yuma Democratic Women's Club. Alberta also served as Past President of the Arizona Association of County Assessors and as a board member of the Arizona Association of Counties. Alberta was appointed by Governor Rose Mofford to serve on the Arizona Board of Tourism. One of her proudest accomplishments was serving as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in New York City in 1976. She also attended the 1984 National Convention as an observer. Alberta was employed by the Yuma County Assessor's Office for 10-1/2 years prior to her election as County Assessor in 1976. Alberta went on to be elected Yuma County Assessor for three more terms until her retirement in 1992.

Family and friends fondly remember Alberta's passion for knitting slippers and afghans, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles for the mental challenge, and trips to the casinos.

Alberta is survived by her children, son Danny Smith and wife Patty, daughter Debra Raeder-Gay and husband Allan, and son David Smith and his life partner Lee Stickland. She is also survived by her sister, Roberta Buckelew, and six grandchildren, Jennifer Doane, Brendon Bartholomew, Courtney Smith-Neill, John Raeder III, Tyler Raeder, and Ronald Raeder, along with 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 8th, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Johnson Mortuary Chapel (1415 S. 1st Ave.) in Yuma. Funeral services will be on Monday, January 9th, at 10:00 am at Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Interment will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

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Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.