Elizabeth "Beth" Smith Obituary (1919

Elizabeth Madlyn "Beth" Smith, was born in Gridley, Illinois to Albert and Elsie (Raber) Frey on Jan. 26, 1919. She married Richard Lowell Smith on June 6, 1943 in Gridley and was preceded in death by him April 3, 1998. She is survived by two sons, Richard "Rick" Frey (Sydne) Smith of Fortine, Montana and Douglas Lynn (Sharon) Smith of Peoria, Illinois; a brother, Roger (Margery) Frey of Mesa, Arizona; grandson, Timothy (Wendy) Smith of Toluca, Illinois, Sean (Mary) Smith of Peoria; a step-granddaughter, Terri Parker West (Lloyd Litsey) of Little Rock, Arkansas, step grandson, Kevin Parker of Eureka, Montana; and great-grandchildren Jordan, Brett, Isabel, Joseph, Connor, Catherine, Gabriel and Zachary Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jean Maurer. Beth graduated from Gridley High School and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Illinois State University. She was an educator for 35 years, teaching in two rural schools near Gridley and also in Aurora, Illinois; kindergarten at Metcalf Training School; and then 25 years in Unit 5 School District where she was an elementary specialist. Before retiring, she served as a principal at Fairview Schools. Beth was a volunteer at Bro-Menn Hospital and held memberships in McLean County Retired Teachers Association, First Presbyterian Church of Normal. Beth enjoyed playing golf at several courses in the area, having two hole-in-ones to her name. Her funeral service will be on Monday February 4th at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church of Normal. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 - 11:00 am at the church. A private Family graveside will be at Waldo Township Cemetery, Gridley, Illinois. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church at 2000 North College, Normal, Illinois. The family would like to thank Mercy Creek of Normal, Liberty Village of Peoria, Dr. T. Kouri, nurses of Unity Point Proctor Hospital and Unity Point Hospice of Peoria.