Naomi Stevens Smith

Naomi was born October 22, 1914 in Ysleta, Texas to Mary Amy Johnson Stevens and David Johnson Stevens. Mary Amy died when Naomi was 4 years old, and there were some years when Annie Hilton (a great-aunt), Sariah Agness Johnson Stevens (grandmother) and Rose Johnson (aunt) helped to raise her. When she was about 10 years old, her father married Elva Helena Judd, which proved to be a great blessing in the lives of Naomi and her younger brother, Ellis. Elva was a loving and dedicated mother to them, and through the years gave birth to 9 additional brothers and sisters.

Naomi grew up in Colonia Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico. She attended high school at the Juarez Stake Academy, and one of her achievements there was winning the Re-Told Story Contest. After graduating, she served a 2-year mission in Mexico City and Monterrey – then the Mexican Mission presided over by Harold Pratt.

Next, Naomi attended BYU, and met a recently-returned Argentine missionary in an advanced Spanish class. She married that young man, Don Hyrum Smith, in the Salt Lake Temple in 1940. They made their home in Salt Lake City, where they raised a family of eight children. She was a diligent supporter and loving companion to her husband while he worked long hours helping to establish the Utah Bookbinding Company, presiding in the Mexican Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and serving in other church callings. In 1965, while bishop of the 35th Ward in Pioneer Stake, Don died in an airplane accident. Naomi deeply felt -but never complained about- the loss of her husband and sweetheart. She worked tirelessly to get her diploma from BYU and her teaching credential so she could support her family. She went on to teach 13 years at Stansbury Elementary School in Granite District.

Naomi was by nature a teacher, and taught her children those things of lasting worth in word and deed throughout her life. She had many gifts and talents. She blessed countless people with her poetry and verses. She was an excellent seamstress, cook and gardener. She loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and served in many church callings through the years, mostly as a teacher in various organizations. After her retirement in 1981, she served a second mission in Arcadia, California. In addition to years of teaching Church classes, she has served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake temple, a stake missionary, an English teacher, and most recently a Laurel adviser in the 25th Ward at age 97. She has been a member of the 25th / 35th wards of Pioneer Stake for 62 years.

In October of 2013 Naomi moved to the Mesa, Arizona area where she received loving care from family members living in that area.

Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, Don Hyrum Smith, a daughter, Lori Dawn White, two grandsons, Timothy Michael Smith and Glen Jacob Whetten, and a great-granddaughter, Felicia Fae Whetten. She is survived by her children: Amy June Whetten (Glen), Rosetta Smith (Ralph), David Hyrum Smith (Marilyn), Steven Jesse Smith (Kristine), Michael Don Smith (Lari), Eric Larson Smith (Laurie Anne), Gina Harsh (Lemuel), and son-in-law Royd E. White. She has 45 grandchildren and 87 great grandchildren.

Naomi is survived by beloved brothers and sisters: David Elvin (Dee) Stevens (Vera); Manda Lee Haider (Jim); Agnes Marie Thornton (Richard), Verlene Turner, Clyde L. Stevens (Carolyn), Virginia Shepherd (R.L.), Elaine Peterson, and Karyn Morelli (Dennis). Two of her brothers and their spouses have died: Ellis Reginald Stevens (Helen), and M. Laurence Stevens (Lu).

Her husband Don's siblings have been dear brothers and sisters to her as well: Marvin E. Smith (Irene), Dorothy Clark (Ellsworth), Oliver R. Smith (Barbara), Lois Whitaker (George), June Harker (William), and Virgil B. Smith (Geraldine). They have passed on in recent years, with the exception of Virgil's wife, Geraldine. She is "Aunt Naomi" to nearly 100 dear nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing Friday, August 1 from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Twenty-Fifth Ward building, 1145 W. 500 S. in Salt Lake City. On August 2 at the same address, there will be an additional viewing from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow immediately after the funeral at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT.

Condolences in Utah may be sent to 3326 N 620 E, Lehi, Utah 84043.

In lieu of flowers, Naomi’s memory may be honored by donating to the Temple Patron Fund of LDS Philanthropies:

http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/temple/funds/temple-patrons-fund.html

An open house celebrating Naomi’s life will be held at an LDS Church building located at 230 N Val Vista in Gilbert, AZ from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on August 7.

Arrangements under the direction of A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Bethany Chapel, Phoenix, AZ.