Elizabeth Smith (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Elizabeth Smith of Phillipsburg, Missouri passed away in her home on Friday morning, April 14, 2023. She was born January 13, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Robert E. Gibson and Edith Greer Gibson. At the time of her passing she was eighty-one years, three months and one day.
Elizabeth was raised in New Mexico, graduating from Highland High School. In 1960, she met Homer Smith while he was stationed at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They fell in love and were married September 22, 1961. They would celebrate just over sixty years together before Homer passed away on October 19, 2022.
For the first twenty years of their married life, they lived in many different areas as Homer was in the military. During this time, they added four children to their family, Paul, Robert, Connie and Donnie. She was a great mother and “kept the home fires burning” while Homer protected the nation. She was not afraid to make herself known and she was quick and ready to be what she needed to be in the moment to protect her family. She enjoyed being a military wife. Her family was everything to her and she loved them deeply.
Elizabeth was also very excited when she became a grandmother. She was proud of all nine of her grandchildren and enjoyed being with them, attending their events in sports and at school, as well as having sleepovers with them. She loved to cook and have big family gatherings.
In her free time, she enjoyed reading, computer games, playing the piano, anything that would help in keeping her mind active.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Donnie Gibson of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She is survived by her daughter, Connie Burns of Phillipsburg, Missouri; three sons, Donnie Smith and his wife, Beth, Paul Smith and Robert Smith and his wife, Cathy, all of Phillipsburg, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Kenny, Jessica, Sarah, Lynsey, Allison, Greyson, Logan, Leah and Luke; and her sister-in-law, Donna Gibson of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Elizabeth was a great role model for her children and grandchildren. The memories she made with them will be with them for years to come and her legacy is greatly appreciated.
A memorial to the Vietnam Veterans of America, chapter 1014, has been established and donations may be made at the funeral home.
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