Loisdene Smith

Loisdene Smith, age 94, passed away Tuesday morning, December 3rd, 2013 at 8:09 a.m. at Herrin Hospital in Herrin, Illinois. Loisdene was born on February 24th, 1919 to Cecil Earl Caraker and Lona Myrtle Billingsley Caraker. She was united in marriage to William Everett Smith on July 26th, 1950 in Lincoln, Illinois. He preceded her in death on August 25th, 1977. Survivors include a son, Charles Allen Smith , a daughter, Mary Alice Bottom Ingram and son in law, Jerry Ingram, grandchildren Bronson Kibler, Eric Kibler, Tina Elkins, Ronald (Butch) Elkins Shoemaker, Robert (Bobby) Elkins, Misty Pearson, Gregg Elkins, Gary Elkins and Jennifer Elkins Rix. She is also survived by two daughters in law, Nancy Williamson Elkins Litsch and Susan K Elkins. She has sixteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren who survive. She preceded in death by two sons, Ronald Dean Elkins and Everett Lawrence “Bud” Elkins. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Grace McIntire and Helen Caraker, and seven brothers, Cecil Clarence Caraker, Lloyd (Joe) Caraker, Robert Caraker, Richard (Jack) Caraker, Carl Caraker, Billie Caraker and an infant brother who was stillborn. Loisdene worked for the State of Illinois as an executive secretary at the University of Illinois in Champaign and then at the Elgin Mental Health Center in Elgin until her retirement in 1980. Before and after retirement she enjoyed life through her love of the outdoors including gardening and fishing and spending time with her family. She loved to cook and made the best pies in Southern Illinois. She dearly loved all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and the many other relatives and friends. Her life was centered around them, whether it was during the holidays, birthdays, special family occasions, a great family vacation, fishing trips or just a day cooking outside and playing. She was always there for all of us in good times and in bad. We could always count on her and she knew that she could always count on us as well. She would give the shirt off her back to help someone and if she didn’t have a shirt, she would bake you one of those famous pies. Oh, how we loved those pies….because she put so much love into each and every one! She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Save a puffy cloud for us! We will see you again someday and will always hold you close in our memories until then. Funeral Services will be held Monday afternoon, December 9, 2013 at 1PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Brother Jim Faughn will officiate. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11AM - 1PM Monday at the Bailey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 320 East Walnut Street, Ste. A, Carbondale, IL 62901 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. KJV John 3:16

Loisdene Smith

February 24, 1919 - December 3, 2013