Norma Jean Autry Smith Obituary (1936 - 2021)

Norma Jean Autry Smith peacefully passed away in her home April 28, 2021 her husband and daughter by her side. She was born November 8, 1936 in Clinton, North Carolina to Martha Irene Brock and Hardy Rufus Autry. She graduated from Clinton High School where she played basketball and enjoyed science and math. She loved North Carolina and also felt it was home. Jean met missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when she was 21 and was baptized shortly after. While she was the only one in her family baptized at the time, her family supported her decision and respected her beliefs. She attended the Piney Green Branch in Clinton. She then moved to Fayetteville to work on the Fort Bragg Army Base. It was here, while attending the Fayetteville Branch, that she met the love of her life, Carl Smith, who had been stationed at Fort Bragg and was seeking out the closest church. According to Carl, she came bounding down the hall and energetically introduced herself. It was love at first sight and that love grew as they served together in various church positions. They were married in the Fayetteville Branch Church October 13, 1962 and later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 14, 1965. Following Carl’s discharge from the army, they moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. It was there they were blessed to adopt their daughter, Carla. No one could love their daughter more than she did. Tender mercies surrounded this special event as it was a miracle that it happened. Carl’s work moved the family to different places, North Carolina, Idaho, Utah, Missouri, and back to Utah where they settled in Murray to be close to Carla. Every place they lived, Jean immediately looked for ways to serve. Service brought Jean great joy. She babysat, volunteered at schools where Carla attended, coached sports teams, cooked meals for people, served as a Girl and Boy Scout leader, and while in Missouri served an inner-city mission in St. Louis for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Family was everything to Jean. She was thrilled when Carla married Steve, her favorite son-in-law, and they gave her three amazing grandchildren; Andy, Nate, and Hannah. Jean lived for her grandchildren and loved attending anything they were involved in. She never missed one of Carla’s sports games or school functions even if she had to walk two miles to attend. This continued with her grandchildren. As she attended more and more activities, friends and teammates of her grandkids began calling her “grandma”, a name she greatly loved. “Grandma” loved people and had a gift for talking. She never met a person that wasn’t family and, in her southern tradition, no one left her home hungry or without being called “sweety or honey”. If she were still here, she would tell each of you how special you are and how much she loves you. She would want you to know that she knows and loves her Heavenly Father and knows that we are His children and His love is unconditional. Jean strived to live a Christlike life, putting other’s needs before her own, and exemplified unwavering faith. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Irene and Hardy Autry, sisters Shirley Bradshaw and Patricia Thornton, and brother Benton Autry. She is survived by her husband, Carl Smith, daughter Carla Christensen (Steve), grandchildren Andy Christensen (Lindsay), Nate Christensen (Courtney), Hannah Christensen, and great granddaughter Daisy Christensen. The family wishes to thank Intermountain Hospice, especially Ana, for their kind and loving care and Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home for their service. Also, thank you to the Murray Community and friends who have provided words of comfort and love. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 8, at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah at 11:00 am. There will also be a viewing at the same venue Friday, May 7, from 6:00-8:00 pm and Saturday morning from 10:00-10:45 am. Due to Covid, we ask that you please wear a face mask. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed at www.jenkins-soffe.com. The link will appear at the Jenkins-Soffe online obituary approximately 15 minutes prior to service and will available for 28 days.