Marjorie Sneed Smith-Otto
1924 - 2017
Marjorie Sneed Smith-Otto
1924 - 2017
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Marjorie Smith-Otto Obituary
Marjorie attended schools in Illinois and graduated from Brokaw Hospital School of Nursing in Normal, Illinois in 1945. She also attended Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois and Baylor University, Dallas, Texas.
In 1949, Marjorie moved to Yuma, Arizona accepting a position at Yuma County Hospital, as a medical supervisor. Her pay was $200 monthly plus room, board and laundry of her white uniforms. In that day, registered nurses were required to wear white starched uniforms.
She married L.D. Sneed, father of John, Deborah and Patricia. They were married for 13 years. He proceeded her in death in December 1962.
In 1967, Larry Smith of Warsaw, New York came to visit his sister, Esther Ewing. He met Marjorie and stayed in Yuma. They were married 33 years when he died in October 2000.
Determined never to marry again, Marjorie married Daniel Otto of Illinois on June 29, 2008 in Yuma, Arizona. They had been in the same wedding party in the early 1950's when Marjorie's brother married Dan's sister. They enjoyed traveling the states, especially the Hawaiian Islands and the local Yuma backroads.
Daniel proceeded her in death August 2013.
Marjorie retired from Yuma School District One as Coordinator of Health Services and Registered Nurses after working with children for 26 years. Her passions were her family and all children. She loved to travel and visit new places, meet people of different cultures and nationalities.
She enjoyed travel in the USA and internationally visiting the continents of Australia, Africa, Europe and much of the Caribbean. Marjorie was an active long time member of Morningside Baptist Church. Additionally, she was also an active member of the Chapter 7 Nurses Association in Rio, Colorado.
Preceding her death were her parents, Reverand Rueben J. and Lena Lehmann Zehr, brother Dwight Zehr, sister-in-law Patricia Zehr, sister-in-law Betty Zehr, brother-in-law Jim Orner and son Lyle Otto.
Marjorie will be remembered by family and friends as a caring, compassionate lady, who loved her Lord, her family, children, and helping others.
Survivors include son John B. Sneed (Roxie) in Eaton, Colorado; daughter Deborah Wyatt (Douglas) in Dammeron Valley, Utah; Patricia More (Bradley) in Naples, Florida; son Tony Fagan (Kris) in Mesa, Arizona; son Gary Smith (Bev) in Leroy, New York; son Mark Otto (Anita) in Carloch, Illinois; daughter Dana Byers (Floyd) in Bloomington, Illinois; 22 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; brother Byron Zehr in Mackinaw, Illinois; sister Gloria Orner in Florida; sister Phyllis Zimmerman (Dwight) in Tennessee and several nephews and nephews.
The memorial service will be held on Friday, December 29th at Morningside Baptist Church at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 2900 S 8th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364 or Gethsemani Food Ministry, 1010 B St, San Luis, AZ 85349.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Melissa Dougherty
December 30, 2017
My prayers go with Byron and family. She was such a sweet lady.
Doug and Janis Wiebel
December 29, 2017
Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to her family and loved ones. May your many memories help to sustain you during this difficult time.
Marilyn Whitenton
December 28, 2017
Dear sweet Marjorie - I feel so treasured to have met her and known her as a nursing colleague even if just in the last 15 years. She was such a joy and help to our board and members when our Rio Colorado Yuma Nursing Chapter 7 was restarted. I especially loved to hear her nursing stories! She had such a good memory and I loved her wit. She shared her American Nurses Association pin with our chapter from their nursing convention back in 1948 in Chicago. What a dear sweet woman! She will be missed. Marilyn Cox Whitenton, RN
Dawn Barnes
December 28, 2017
It is so hard to say in a few short words about my Aunt Marje. She was always good to me, even when I was getting the measles at the age of 6. We went to the San Diego zoo for the day and she kept prodding me to keep moving. By the end of the day, she was calling me "Sunset" because I wasn't able to keep up. The next day, I broke out with the measles. She would remind me of that day even last year.
She never questioned any of my decisions regardless of the wisdom or lack of wisdom. She loved me unconditionally.
She would encourage me every time I saw her. At times, it was embarrassing, because of her over enthusiastic bragging of my abilities. Her encouragement and support meant so much to me. I have saved every note she sent to me and read and re-read them several times over the past few years. They were a priceless gift for me.
Our family loved her. She was like an icon for us. My younger sister, Kim, wore a doll's plastic bathtub on her head and said, "look, I'm Aunt Marge". Her hats were incredible! When she came to visit, we always knew some one was coming that we would love to be around.
As the years went by, she kept in touch with us. Her and Larry would make the trip to Illinois in that little pickup truck. When they returned, it was always loaded with "goodies" that they had found while going to garage sales with my mom and anyone who could fit in the station wagon. We would cruise the streets and find that "one special item" that we just couldn't live with out. The day would end with a trip to the local Chinese restaurant.
Aunt Marje loved Hummels. She carried a book with all the "Blue book Prices". Mom and her, and later Uncle Dan would search for that "one" that she had been looking for.
Aunt Marje loved her children and her grandchildren. I never heard her say anything negative about anyone of them. Sometimes, I wondered if they were really that great or if she was just getting old. They were and even though she was getting older, she was still bright and always "right on"
When she turned 90, those of us that were able, decided to surprise her for her birthday. I had not been to her house since I was 5. She cried until the next day and told me that she could not believe that we loved her so much that we would come for her birthday. We did and would again if we could.
My mom, wanted to go for her birthday because as she said "She is not just my sister in law, she is my best friend". Mom and dad both loved her for who she was not what she was.
Aunt Marje lived in the same house for most of her life. Maybe she decided that she wanted to go to her forever home when it became time to move. I don't know. I do know that she will never have to move again. She will leave a legacy behind that we will all remember.
I love you Aunt Marje, and I always will.
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Jerry Sneed
December 27, 2017
My brothers and I are very sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Marge. She is the last of that generation from the Sneed family connection.
There were fond memories of driving from Calexico to Yuma to visit Uncle Deb and Aunt Marge and our younger cousins. I remember us kids being the bird dogs for our Dad and Uncles Deb and Art when they went quail hunting. Dad and Deb put uncle Art in the middle and never gave him a chance to shoot a bird, always reminding him that they were raised with the axiom of "One shot one bird."
Our prayers are with you.
Jerry Sneed
Darleen Knapp
December 27, 2017
So very sorry for your loss. Loosing your Mother is so hard and you will miss her more than you know. Thinking of you.
Katy Postrozny
December 27, 2017
I didn't know Mrs. Smith-Otto personally but I know Patti, her daughter who resides in Florida. After hearing the obituary and understanding how involved this lovely woman was with children and life, I felt compelled to write and express how sad it is to know she has passed on. She must have been a wonderful and very caring person to know.
Scott Hennells
December 27, 2017
God Bless and our prayers are with her family
Donald Longbottom
December 27, 2017
Marge was a fine Christian woman and a caring mother. I am confident that she Resides in the arms of Jesus. Rev. Dr. Don Longbottom
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