Afton LaVon Poole Smith Obituary (1924 - 2016)

Our Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great-Grandmother, Afton LaVon Poole Smith, died unexpectedly and peacefully in her home on October 27, 2016 with family members present. She was born in the living room of her family home on 4th Avenue in Salt Lake City on February 22, 1924, the daughter of Stanley S. Poole and Peninah Wood Poole; and lived a full and active life up to her death. She was constantly in the service of others, including serving as a volunteer at Cottonwood Hospital for over 20 years; and was an active member of the LDS Church and served in numerous callings. She and her husband, Croft (married June 4, 1943), served a mission in the Thai-Laotian Ward of the LDS Church, serving ward members with priority to children. She loved Halloween when she dressed up as a witch and had a wicked, loud cackle that could scare the "devil" out of anyone. She loved making quilts and embroidering pillow cases for family and friends. She loved yard work and sharing the fruits of her garden with family and neighbors. She stayed very active and worked in her yard up to her passing. She was an avid camper and enjoyed the outdoors and the beauty of the mountains. She was a loving Mother, dedicated to her family and posterity; and demonstrated endless energy serving her family and others. She is survived by her sister, Pat Lundberg; five children: Sandra Higley (Melvin); Larry Smith (former Mayor of Sandy); Pamela Connolly (Larry); Devin Smith (Eileen); and Dorene Stauffer (Roy); 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandsons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Croft L. Smith; and son, Leonard, who was born with "down syndrome", and who she insisted on keeping at home and raising at a time when most such children were placed in institutions. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Valley West Training Center for Special Needs Children. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Murray LDS Stake Center, 160 East 4600 South, Murray, Utah. Viewings will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, and on November 2, 2016 from 10:00-10:45 AM at the church prior to the services. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary-Murray 4760 South State Street Murray, UT