Mary Elizabeth (DeVault) Smith (1947)

DEVAULT, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 1/7/2017 at 07:27:10

Stuart Herald
Stuart, Iowa
Thursday, April 17, 1947

Mary Elizabeth DeVault, youngest child of Jonathan and Malinda DeVault, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, Dec. 9, 1868 and passed away at Spirit Lake April 10, 1947 at the age of 78 years, 4 months and 1 day.

She moved with her parents, when a child, to Madison county locating near Dexter. She attended rural schools and took normal training. She then taught for several years in the vicinity of Dexter, Stuart, and Greenfield.

On August 30, 1888 she was united in marriage to William Alexander Smith. To this union three children were born: Malinda Thriza, Strawder Burl, who died in infancy, and Theron Dudley.

The early years of her married life were spent near Greenfield, later moving to a farm they purchased near Dexter at which place Mr. Smith passed away on Sept. 19, 1908.

In March 1914 Mrs. Smith moved on a farm she had purchased near Superior, operating with her son-in-law, V. D. Smith until 1919 when she sold that farm and moved to one she had purchased near Oelwein. She and her son, Theron, operated on this farm for several years. Due to failing health Mrs. Smith gave up farming and returned to Superior in Dickinson county where she was engaged in practical nursing for several years.

She joined the Christian church at an early age and retained her faith the remainder of her life. Of late years her Bible was a great solace and comfort to her.

While living near Superior she was a member and faithful worker in the Rebekah Lodge.

She was ever a loving wife and mother and a kind and helpful friend to many.

There remain to mourn her departure her daughter, Mrs. Vivian Smith of Estherville; her son, Theron, of Williams, Minn.; one brother, John DeVault of Dexter and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held April 12 at 1:30 p.m. from the Donovan Chapel at Spirit Lake after which she was brought to Stuart where a second service was held on April 13 at 2:30 p.m. from Linn’s Funeral Home. Interment was in the Penn Center cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her husband and infant son. The casket beares were Sherman D. Williams, Irvin Denning, Clifford DeVault, Elvin Jones, Harold and Lyle Bitcon.

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Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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