Shirley Ann Lois Felts Smith

1933 - 2023

Shirley Ann Lois (Bradley) Felts Smith
Born: September 21, 1933
Died: October 12, 2023 in Oswego, IL
Do you hear the rejoicing in heaven? Shirley Smith has gone home to live for eternity with her Lord Jesus and all her loved ones who have died in Christ before her! Shirley died Thursday, October 12 in her home in Oswego.
Shirley Ann Lois (Bradley) Felts Smith, born September 21, 1933, to Cleffie Bradley in Walnut Ridge Arkansas, spent her youth in northern Arkansas where her family (including step-father James Felts, whom her mother married when she was four years old) picked cotton and sharecropped.
Shirley married Levi Don (L.D.) Smith on August 16, 1952, and they began the adventure of living, working, raising five children and (after retirement) traveling the United States in their various campers together. After L.D. discharged from the Air Force in 1954, they began following L.D.'s work for a pipeline construction company across Northwest U.S. and Canada.
Born to Shirley and L.D. were children, Michael Donald Smith, Deborah Ann (Michael) Johnston, Beverly (Mike) Buss, Ronald Joseph (Annette) Smith and Kelley Renee (Patrick) Lloyd.
When their older children became old enough to attend school, L.D. and Shirley bought property in Plainfield where they built their home. Many are the happy memories of swimming, fishing, horse-back riding, and hayrides that were made there with family and friends. They lived "on the farm" until they downsized to a home in Oswego in 2010.
Shirley follows her husband, L.D.; son, Mike; son-in-law, Mike Johnston; and daughter, Beverly, her mother, step-father, niece, nephews and many close friends to Heaven. Her absence from their lives is grieved by her remaining children: Deborah, Ron and Kelley, adopted-by-marriage son, Mike Buss and by her nine beloved grandchildren: Brooke (Jim) Guddendorf, Jacob (Sarah) Buss, Joshua (Tina) Buss, Benjamin Johnston, Matthew (Allison) Johnston, Danielle Smith, Beverly Lloyd, Marc Smith, and Dakota (Trent) Beatty. Also surviving are her precious great grandchildren, Emma Buss, Ethan Buss, Lucas Buss, Noah Buss, Harper Buss, Levi Johnston-Hajat, Loretta Rose Beribak, and Sylvia Lynn Beatty. She also will be sorely missed by several special nieces and adopted-by-marriage nephew, her church family and many, many friends.
Shirley was a gifted wife, mother, and homemaker, much like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. She created a warm, inviting home which was open to family, friends, and those in need. She was especially skilled in cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, and crafting. Many can remember a wonderful meal prepared by her or a special quilt or afghan which she created especially for them. She was especially known for her fried chicken, fried potatoes, and fried pies.
Shirley believed strongly in sharing her God-given gifts and resources with others, but her greatest gifts to those she loved were her unfailing prayers that went up to heaven daily for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and the unconditional love she showered on them. Her desire was than everyone she loved would accept the free gift of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice for their salvation that she might spend eternity in God's presence with them.
A Memorial service will be conducted Saturday, October 21 at Friendship Baptist Church, 15801 Rt 59, Plainfield IL. There will be a 10:00-11:00 am visitation with a Life Celebration service and meal following. All those who wish to honor Shirley's life may do so my contributing to Samaritan's Purse, St Jude Children's Hospital or Friendship Baptist Church in lieu of flowers.
Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY. For Information, 630-554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com.