Elona Louise (Grady, Smoll) Smith

Today the sun sets for the final time for our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Sister-in-Law, Aunt and friend, Elona Louise (Grady, Smoll) Smith. 

Born September 27, 1929, to Oba and Margaret (Eddinger) Grady in Ridgeway, MI. Her childhood was interrupted at 7 yrs. old, when her mother passed after giving birth to her youngest sister. Soon after losing her mother, the family was placed in foster care. This turned out as not always being a loving and nurturing environment. After a 6 month stay in University of Michigan Hospital, Elona was placed with a loving home, where for the first time she was allowed to drink all the milk she wanted. Elona lived with the Vanderpool family for several years. Elona was then passed through several other homes. While attending Blissfield High School, she was blessed to be placed in the home of Norman and Ruth Smoll. Elona graduated from Blissfield H.S. in 1950. After graduation from Blissfield, Elona continued to help the Smoll family and other families in the area. She also went to work for Dr. Isley in his Blissfield home. 

In 1953, Elona was set up on a blind date by her friend Geneva. This date turned out to be her future husband, Lawrence Smith. After a brief courtship, realizing they were meant for each other, they were engaged and married 6 months later on, June 14th, 1954. Elona was a stay-at-home farm wife, maintaining their home and raising their family. They were blessed with 3 children, Mark, Rose Marie, (Rosie), and a daughter Camellia, who was stillborn. While Lawrence pursued his career as a long-haul truck driver, as well as farming, Mom, as Lawrence affectionately called her, stayed home raising the kids, driving tractor on the farm, driving trucks to and from the grain elevators. Mom was always busy baking, cooking, feeding livestock, and raising the family. She had an uncanny ability of remembering every important date for all their family and friends, never failing to send greeting cards for every event. Lawrence and Elona were married for 62 years, until Lawrence passed on February 13th, 2017.

Elona will be remembered for her delicious meals, baked goodies, (especially at Christmas), and her love of crocheting. Elona was known far and wide for the hundreds of blankets and afghans she made for friends and family. All her very large extended family were blessed with baby blankets and afghans for all kinds of occasions. She also donated these special gifts during Michigan AG week, working with Mary Jensen, to all babies born in Monroe that week. Elona made sure there was always an afghan donated to all her grandchildren’s high school and band activities and fundraisers.

Elona began attending Morocco United Brethren Church when she and Lawrence married and was a lifelong member going forward. She faithfully taught Sunday School and worked with Vacation Bible School each summer. Elona was the church financial secretary and was involved in almost all church activities for many years. She was a lifetime member of the Monroe County Fair and active in Monroe County Farm Bureau.

The family will host visitation on Wednesday April 2nd, from 2pm-8pm at Capaul Funeral Home in Ida, MI. Services will be on Thursday, April 3rd, officiated by Pastor Todd Greenman at Morocco United Brethren Church, located at the corners of Morocco and Jackman Rds., Temperance MI.  Visitation will be held from 10am-11am.  Service will begin at 11am, and her final resting place will be beside her husband, Lawrence, at Bedford Memorial Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Lynn C. Weeman American Legion Hall on Lewis Ave., Temperance MI.

Elona is survived by her son Mark (Chris) Smith, daughter Rosie (Greg) Vajcner, sisters Anna Mae Snyder and Colleen Jensen, foster sister Janice Swets, foster brother Lee Smoll, sisters-in-law Carol Grady, Faye Henry, Dorothy Smith, brothers-in-law Wayne Smith, and Carl (Kay) Smith. Grandchildren Elissa (Adam) Cox, Danielle (Jordan) Sims, Brad (Megan) Smith, and Frank Vajcner. Great grandchildren, Carson, Declan, and Reese Cox, step great grandchildren Madison Roshong, Gabe and Emma McGranahan, and many treasured nieces and nephews. Also surviving is Elona’s friend and “sister” Violet Olrich.

Elona was preceded in death by her parents, Oba and Margaret Grady, husband Lawrence, brothers William Eddinger, Edward, James, Robert, and Clyde Grady, and daughter Camilla. The family would like to thank the staff at Aspen Grove Assisted Living where mom has lived for the last 10 years. She was affectionately known as the Onion Lady as she had 1 with every meal. Also, her longtime dinner partner James and the staff at Ebeid Hospice of Northwest Ohio. We’d also like to thank the many special friends and family for their prayers and support during the last years of Mom’s life. You are all a blessing. Memorials may be made to Northwest Hospice of Ohio, or Michigan Foster Care Closet, in Elona’s memory.

Mom, as we say goodbye to you here on Earth, a part of us goes with you. We will always cherish the things you taught us and the love you instilled in us, as you go to rest and receive your heavenly rewards. Your legacy of love, faith, and friendship will continue to inspire us all. We all love you, mom, and will keep you close to our hearts until we are all together again.