Shirley E. Smith

Shirley E. Smith, 76, of Yeager Avenue, Forty Fort, entered into eternal rest Sunday, March 15, 2009, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

She was born Feb. 4, 1933, in Wilkes-Barre, daughter of the late George M. and Ella Jones Yencha.

She graduated from Coughlin High School, Class of 1950, and then went on to graduate from Bloomsburg State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.

Mrs. Smith began teaching in the Kingston Borough School District and taught at the Church Street, Main Street and served as head teacher at Third Avenue schools for four years.

She resigned from the profession to be a full-time mother to her two daughters. Later on, she did permanent substitute work for the Wyoming Valley School District and taught at the Fort Street, Hemlock Street and Schuyler Avenue schools.

Mrs. Smith joined the Forty Fort Nursery School and served as head teacher for 22 years.

She was a member of Forty Fort United Methodist Church and sang with the adult choir for many years and served on many committees. She was also a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Harmony Chapter, Wyoming, and she was an avid Penn State football fan.

Her sister, Marjorie Kohlhass, preceded her in death.

Surviving are her husband of 53 years, Malcolm H.; daughters, Susan E. Smith, Harveys Lake; and Deborah E. Smith, Kingston; sister, Dorothy and her husband, William Lawson, Shavertown; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc., 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with the Rev. Donald A. Roberts Sr., her pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Friends may call Wednesday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to United Network of Organ Sharing, Unos Foundation, 700 N. Fourth St., P.O. Box 2484, Richard, VA, 23218.