Smith, Celia Mary 1909-1980

SMITH, SMITH, BIRD

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/10/2015 at 17:58:37

Note: Like her married surname, her maiden name was Smith and her mother's maiden name was Bird.

Services held for Celia Mary Smith, longtime Akron newswoman

Mrs. Gerald F. (Celia Mary) Smith, 71, Akron, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack Saturday evening (Aug. 9, 1980) in her home.

She was the wife of the longtime publisher of the Akron-Register Tribune, and was associated with the newspaper for a number of years as business manager, writer, and contributing a weekly column.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith published the Akron Register-Tribune until it was sold to Good News, Inc. in 1972. The couple spent the last six winters in Marco Island, Fla.

The former Celia Mary Smith, was born May 3, 1909, in Mt. Vernon, S. D. She married Gerald F. Smith on July 22, 1929, also at Mt. Vernon.

She moved to Akron after her marriage, where she lived the rest of her life except for three years in Washington, D. C.

Mrs. Smith attented the University of South Dakota for two years where she belonged to Alpha Xi Delta, Epsilon chapter. She was a 52 year member of the Order of the Roast, and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron.

She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, reading, Bridge, golf and was a crossword enthusiast.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuessday in the Wesley United Methodist Church, Akron. The Rev. Peter Peterson officiated. Soloist was Richard Smith of Hawarden, accompanied by his wife. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery under direction of the Schroeder Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers were Mac Thorson, Arden Johnson, Dr. J. P. Trotzig and Oral Hill. Active bearers were Russell Reynolds, Richard Reynolds, Fay F. Kerr, Lyle F. Jacobs, Francis Hazel and Robert Tucker.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband, Gerald; one daughter, Barbara Reynolds, and her husband Charles Reynolds, of St. Paul, Minn., two grandsons, Russell and Richard Reynolds, of St. Paul; one sister, Mrs. Horace (Helen) Brown, New London, N. H.; and one niece.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, August 14, 1980
Akron, Iowa