Ardyth Bailey Smith

Our beautiful Mother, Ardyth Bailey Smith has passed away on the 8th of April, 2019.
She was born the 26th of December 1928 in Rupert, Idaho, a middle child of eight to Joseph S. Bailey and Lillian Henrietta Astle Bailey. Ardyth (Ardy) is survived by her two Daughters, Sandra Lillian Dabney, (Richard), Jeanne Roberta Kirby, (James), and two Sons, Jonathan Steele Smith, (Christina) and David Christopher Smith, (Lisa). She leaves behind 12 loving Grandchildren, who will miss the Grandma who shared her many interest with them, 34 Great-Grandchildren, some of whom were also lucky enough to enjoy a Grandma lesson, and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Ardy married her sweetheart, John Steele Smith on December 5th, 1947. John was an officer in the USAF for twenty-six years and, together with their children, they traveled around the world to many distant countries. Ardy loved the life of traveling and loved getting to know the peoples and cultures that the family visited. When John and Ardy retired to Nibley they hosted many young adults and refugees from some of those distant lands.
One of Mother’s favorite past-times was having friends and family over to dinner. This was a tradition started in military life as she would host large groups of single servicemen and also other military families. She carried on with this tradition as long as she was able when they settled in Nibley, and lamented her inability to do so when her health became frail.
Ardy had many wonderful talents, gifts and hobbies which she loved sharing with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and ward members. As Ardy would write, “I loved the Lord and the chance I had to serve in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” Ardy loved to write stories and had a passion for genealogy work. Ardy and John served a mission in Costa Rica where they concentrated on helping those they served do their genealogy work.
Mother had many talents, some of which were painting, writing, sewing and gardening in a large garden and flower garden. She enjoyed being one of the “Flower Ladies” of Nibley and providing flowers for church on Sundays and other special occasions. She arranged the flowers for her Grand-children’s weddings and for other family members.
She was a humble soul who always said, “I hope I am good enough to be with my Johnny when I die.” She is gone from us but now she is there beside him, and we will miss her.
We have such gratitude for the specialized loving care Mother received from the dedicated care-givers at Cache Valley Assisted Living. They made her last years engaging and kept her safe in their Memory Unit.
We also express appreciation to the Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants from Signature Healthcare and Hospice who were so gentle and kind to Mother and provided such excellent care.
Funeral services will be held at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E 400 N, Logan, UT, on Friday, April12th. The viewing will be from 10-10:30 and the Funeral will start at 11:00. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .