Lois Marie Smith

Lois Marie Smith ENCINITAS -- Lois Marie Smith died on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, in Carlsbad, California. She was born in 1921 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Sherman and Lola Gruver. Lois graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School of Council Bluffs and, in 1945, she married Robert D. Smith, a young Marine just returning from the war. His duty stations eventually took them across the United States and they made their home in Nebraska, North Carolina, Hawaii, Texas and California. Lois was a member of Oceanside Methodist Church, the Methodist Women's Guild, and the Marine Corps Officers' Wives Club. She loved to quilt and sew and she took great pride in her home and family; she loved taking care of others. She was a loving, gentle soul. Lois was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Major Robert D. Smith; her son, Steven Dell Smith at the age of five; her parents, two brothers, Jack and Clyde Gruver, and two sisters, Edith McTwiggan and Dorothy McClure. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan Mahedy-Ridgway and John Ridgway of Des Moines, Iowa; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. Smith II and Loretta Smith of Cardiff, Calif.; three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Council Bluffs on September 20, 2010. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com