Felicia Loriann Smith, born on January 5, 1992 in Grand Junction, Colorado was the eldest child of Steven Elliott Smith and Loriann Lee (Smith) Ybarra, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 23rd, 2024. Felicia was a vibrant, lively, and bright spirited woman, overflowing with life and love for her three wonderful boys. Sadly, just two weeks shy of welcoming her beautiful daughter, Lyla Noelle, into this world, we lost both. Their sudden departure has left our family in profound sorrow. Felicia was merely 32-years-old, and it seems that God called she and her unborn daughter home too soon.
Felicia had a joyful childhood in Grand Junction, Colorado, where she spent her younger years with family, friends, loved ones, participating in various family activities. She adored crafting, camping, fishing, hiking, and primarily cherished family holiday customs such as carving pumpkins, decorating Christmas cookies, making Christmas ornaments, and coloring Easter eggs. When Felicia went into labor with her first child, Logan, she insisted on finishing the egg coloring before going to the hospital!
She attended Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School initially, and later pursued her education in Fruita, ultimately graduating from Fruita Monument High School in 2011, with several semesters on the honor roll. As a child Felicia was very enthusiastic, energetic, full of life and always tried to help take care of her younger siblings. Felicia had a smile and laugh that was contagious and caused anyone near her to laugh right along with her.
As a young lady, Felicia and her siblings spent many days while her parents worked with her great-grandparents, Fred and Dixie Smith and grandparents Sal and Lois Lupo in Orchard Mesa. Most of her extended family at the time lived on Orchard Mesa and she spent many days running around the park areas in that part of the valley as well as at family homes and barbecues.
Felicia gave birth to her first beautiful son, Logan, on March 30, 2013, a day before Easter. While Logan was an infant, she obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant licensure, and worked in various long-term care facilities in the valley and was renowned for her remarkable work ethic, compassion, and kindness toward the residents she cared for. She later became the mother of two outstanding, beautiful boys, Lucas (born May 1, 2016) and Leo (born February 11, 2022). She loved and cherished every moment spent with her children, showering them with love and affection. She had high hopes and dreams for all of her children, and we know that her surviving family will do their best to ensure that her dreams for them come true. Felicia will be dearly missed by all those she touched throughout her life.
Felicia faced many challenges in her 32 years, but confronted them with a resilience that inspired everyone around her. Her laughter filled our family gatherings, and her determination saw her through difficult times. Her unborn daughter, already so loved and cherished, was a beacon of hope, a new beginning.
Surviving family members who were blessed and honored to share Felicia’s life include her beloved children, Logan Steven Riboni, Lucas Noah Kriss, and Leo Connor Kriss; her parents, Steven Elliott Smith and Heather JaNae Smith, and Loriann Lee Ybarra and David Ybarra, Pete Vigil; siblings, Nathan Elliott Smith, Jay Nelson Palmer, Garrett Tyler Smith, Emily Violet Smith, Mikeala Vigil, Jordan Vigil; Grandparents Lois Lupo, Bart and Lesa Day; Nephew, Aiden James Smith; Aunts, Cheri Sinski, Cheri Loveday; Uncles Tony Lupo, David Schultz; Cousins, Taylor Schultz, Angela Burgett, Ashley Stout, Hope Loveday, and Daniel Loveday; and many other extended aunts, uncles and cousins. She is preceded in death by grandparents Sal Lupo, David Smith, Alice (Smith) Viner, Aunt Lori Schultz, and Uncle Robert Smith.
A visitation will be held at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Martin Mortuary. A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Martin Mortuary.
