Edna Earl Smith

Edna Earl Pelton Smith was born on Nov 15, 1926. She was the fifth child of seven born to Clarence Addison Pelton and Myrtle Daisy Stout Pelton in Dallas Co. Texas. 

She graduated from Amon Carter Riverside High School in Fort Worth Texas in 1945. She loved painting at the Art Center in Ft Worth and worked at a studio, Montgomery Ward, and Worth Food Market. 

She spent the summer of 1951 with other college students working at Camp Shiloh in New York. While there she really enjoyed getting to see the Statue of Liberty, the Radio City Rockettes, several museums, a movie, ride the subway and ferry, and spend time at Coney Island. They went door to door to invite kids from the city to come to Camp Shiloh.

Edna attended Abilene Christian College from 1951 to 1953 and was majoring in Elem. Ed. While there she loved working at the food counter/soda shop. She did not graduate because she had to go home to help her mother. There she worked for a tax preparation service which led to keeping books for Greyhound Bus Service.

She met Oliver Calvin Smith at Riverside Church of Christ and they were married on June 12, 1956. She was excited that she was going to live in Montana on the Smith family ranch. The first thing Oliver taught her was how to milk the cows, so he wouldn’t have to. He also taught her how to drive a tractor, bale and stack hay, irrigate (which she did until she was 82), and help with the calving and lambing. Edna and Oliver ranched for over 60 years, set up irrigation systems all over SW Montana, and were faithful members of the Church of Christ.

Edna delivered twins on May 12, 1960. The little boy (James Patrick) did not survive, but the little girl (Janice) did. Another daughter (Belinda) was born on Oct 5, 1961.

She enjoyed painting, miniature golf, playing softball for Greyhound, bowling leagues with Andy and Irene Morris, ranching, and just being outside. In her later years, she enjoyed going to the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind where she learned braille, how to use a cane, finger crochet, and to use the shop equipment to make a stool, birdhouse, and a Lazy-Susan turntable. She loved the Lord, singing His praises, and hearing His word.

Edna passed away Feb 3, 2023 in Helena, MT.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Leontine and Opal, brothers James, Durwood, and Clarence, her husband Oliver and son James, and a granddaughter Lorena. 

She is survived by her sister Deanna Gilbert, daughters Janice Harbor and Belinda Christensen, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great grandchildren and wonderful friends.

Memorial services will be held Feb 18, 2023 at 11:00 at the Twin Bridges Mortuary. 

A graveside service will follow with a reception at the Senior Center, 501 N Madison, Twin Bridges.