Hope Ione Smith

Hope Ione (Price) Smith, 100, of Kokomo peacefully passed into Heaven at 4:30 PM on Saturday October 5, 2019, at Bloom of Kokomo. She was born November 16, 1918, in Howard County, the daughter of the late John G. Price and Bessie (Carey) Price from the Western Howard County, (Ervin) Burlington area. Hope was the longest living graduate of the Ervin Class of 1936. Hope went to work at Reliance Manufacturing from 1937 to 1941. There she met her future husband, William "Bill" A. Smith, Jr. The married on March 21, 1941. He preceded her in death on August 31, 2008. Hope became a homemaker and was actively involved in school and church activities. She served as President of the Meridian PTA. She was a member of South Side Christian Church where she participated in many Circles and projects for the church over the years. In 1963, she became an Avon representative. Her territory was in the Washington School area. Hope sold Avon products for almost 20 years. Frequently, she won awards for top salesmanship. She made many lasting friendships through her Avon career. Hope was a member of a group known as the "Chatter Club." This club began in World War II and met originally twice a month and later once a month. These women played games, shared about family, laughed, and made dear lifelong friendships. Hope enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards, traveling, camping, and square dancing. She was a very talented seamstress, and well known for her beautiful flower gardens. Most of all she loved her family and spending time with them. She cherished her lifelong friends and all new friendships made along the way. Hope is survived by one son Jack (Vicki) Smith; one daughter Rebecca "Becky" (Ken) Berryman; six grandchildren, Melissa Etherington, Adam (Robbin) Smith, Ryan (Amanda) Berryman, Scott (Jaime) Berryman, Heather (Brian) Henry, and Angela (Josh) Hall; 16 great grandchildren, Austin, Alex, and Aaron Etherington; Hannah Smith; Jaycee, Rowan, and Briar Hall; Rhett, Avery, and Cal Berryman; Olivia Koztecki; Stone Procaccino; Rylie and Berkley Berryman; Piper and Parker Henry; one nephew Dan (Helen) Price; one niece Judy Tebo; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Hope was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Meredith "Bud" Price; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Ora Sharp; one granddaughter Joanna Wyatt. The family would like to thank Bloom of Kokomo and staff for their kindness and caring, especially in Hope's last days, and to Elara Care Hospice (formerly Great Lakes Caring). Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday October 12, 2019 at South Side Christian Church, 201 E. Markland Avenue, Kokomo. Reverend Chuck Babcock will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Friday at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo; also from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Saturday at the church.