Myrna Smith
Myrna J. Smith of Billings passed away peacefully at home on Oct.1, 2019. She was 96 years old. Myrna was born in Burlington, Wyoming, February 5, 1923, to Susannah Violate Hopkin Johnson and Samuel Alonzo Johnson. She had 2 older brothers, Marvin and Bud, and 1 younger brother, Fred. She prayed and prayed for a little sister and finally welcomed Susie when she was 9 years old. She grew up helping in the family store in Lovell, Wyoming. Her Dad also ranched and farmed and they all worked hard together.
After graduating high school, Myrna went to Johnston School of Business in Billings. In 1942, Myrna met Jesse B. Smith and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 18th. They lived in Basin, Wyo., and welcomed 2 sons during this time, Brad and Dean. In 1945, war broke out and Jess applied to work for the government. He was away from home for more than 3 years. Myrna decided to move to Billings to be closer to family. Her mom watched Brad and Dean while she worked for an advertising company called “Foote.”
After the war, she and Jess moved to Denver and bought a house. She worked as a secretary for Fishback manufacturing and Miracle Gas Co. She also did the payroll and books for Cahaill-Mooney Construction Co. In 1958, baby Scott was born and in 1959 they made their last move to Shepherd, MT to help care for her mother who had Parkinson disease. In addition to caring for her mother, she took a course to be a nurse aide and worked as a dietary supervisor at St. John’s Nursing Center. She used her nursing skills the remainder of her life caring for her parents and then eventually her husband Jess.
Myrna loved her family and helped her children and grandchildren as much as she could. She loved keeping pretty flowers and a garden. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully all her life in many capacities. She loved music and had a beautiful voice. She taught her granddaughters piano and supported them through hours of practicing and lessons. She was a master seamstress and loved making quilts and clothes for her grandkids.
Myrna is survived by 2 sons, Brad and Scott, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Visitations will be at Smith Downtown Chapel from 5-7 pm. on Friday. A Celebration of Life/Open House will be from 11 am. To 1 pm. on Saturday, October 5 at the Wicks Lane LDS Chapel, 1000 E. Wicks Ln. with family burial at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
