Orfa Johnson Smith

Orfa Johnson Smith passed away July 26, 2003, in Layton, Utah. She was born April 11, 1905, in Vernal, Utah. She was the youngest of eleven children born to Andrew Johnson and Emma Rasmussen Johnson. She married Richard Lavon Smith in the Salt Lake LDS Temple May 24, 1939. He preceded her in death Aug. 31, 1984.
Orfa was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She fulfilled missions in the Northern States Mission from 1928 to 1930 and the Eastern States Mission in the Summer of 1936. As an active member of her church she has served in teaching and leadership positions in Primary, Mutual, Sunday School and Relief Society. She served as Theology lesson teacher in Relief Society form 1939 to 1956 even through three moves. She and Dick served as missionaries in Florida, from 1972-1974. After high school Orfa attended Brigham Young University for one year and a summer receiving her 1-year normal certificate. She began teaching school in Lapoint, Utah and continued to teach for 12 years in several different schools. Orfa and Dick farmed in Fairview, Idaho when they first married then moved to Burley, Idaho in 1943, and in 1956 they moved to a farm in Tremonton, Utah. Orfa began teaching again in 1957, finished her schooling and graduated from Utah State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She taught until 1970, when she and Dick retired and moved to Benson, Utah. She is survived by her daughter Marlene Larsen Victor, her son Terry Barbara, her daughters Joanne Weston Bryan, and Bettie Keetch Gordon, her son Vernal Jeanetta; 36 grandchildren, and 60 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Lavon Smith and 4 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2003, in The Benson LDS Ward chapel, 3432 North 3000 West, where friends and family may call two hours prior to services. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, Idaho. Services are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be extended online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .