Marilyn Smith

Marilyn Aliene “Jane” Thornburg Smith

Marilyn Aliene Thornburg Smith was born on 7 February 1930 in Osborne County, Kansas. She is the daughter of Floyd Arthur Thornburg, Sr. and Dora Bell Trexler. She grew up in Kansas. During her school years she learned to play piano and at age 12 her piano teacher nicknamed her “Jane” which stuck with her for the rest of her life. She loved learning and was an avid reader all her life. She was a good student, became a drum majorette and was excellent at baton twirling.

She married Daniel A Smith Sr in 1947. He was in the U.S.A.F. and they lived in several places and they had five children: Daniel A. Smith Jr. (Robin), Colleen Bybee (Jerald-deceased), Linda Utley (Rex-deceased), Polly Washburn (Gary) and Tony Smith.

During her 91 years, Marilyn was a housewife and homemaker, bookkeeper, advertising sales agent, co-owner and operator with her husband of a Texaco service station and café, Texas realtor, bookkeeper and sales clerk.

Her hobbies were bowling, bingo, gardening, crocheting and remodeling and refurbishing several homes. She especially enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzle, playing cards and she could beat any challenger in ping pong even at 90 years old. She enjoyed traveling and managed to visit Europe twice and 48 states.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She worked with cub scouts and taught Sunday school for many years. She was very patriotic and loved our country. She had several pet dogs through the years as well as farm animals which she named after people she especially liked.

She is survived by all five children, 18 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Daniel A. Smith Sr, brother Floyd A. Thornburg, Jr. and brother Keith Thornburg and one great grandson.

She will be fondly remembered for her energetic and talkative nature, laugh, boundless energy, endless trivia and the many greeting cards which contained $2.00 bills. She never forgot a birthday.