Donna L. Smith

Donna Smith, age 97, passed on to her heavenly reward on November 5 at Cedar Creek Assisted Living (formerly York Place) in Marion. She was born to Claude and Mary Carey on December 25, 1925. She attended North Ward and Little Ridge Elementary and graduated from Fairmount High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked at the United States Office of Price Administration in Marion, but her calling to be a nurse led her to join the Army Cadet Nurse Corps in 1945. She graduated from the Methodist School of Nursing in 1948 as a Second Lieutenant. Her 47-year nursing career included work for the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Marion General Hospital, the Marion Veteran’s Administration Hospital and working for the office of Dr. Russell Hummel in Marion.

She married Lloyd D. Smith on April 24, 1949 at the Fairmount Friends Church, and they enjoyed a great 40 years together on their Fairmount farm and in their traveling adventures. He preceded her in death on December 10, 1989.

Donna was a member of the Grant United Methodist Church since the 1940s. She was a 75+ year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Homemaker’s Extension Club. Donna also loved anything Shirley Temple and enjoyed building an extensive collection of Shirley Temple dolls and other memorabilia.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lori Baxter of Sweetser and Lisa (Rod) Weller of Summitville. Four grandchildren, Brittney Baxter (Josh Springer) of Indianapolis, Tyler (Michelle) Weller of Alexandria, Kaylee Baxter (Dylan Berg) of Chicago, and Carey (Kevin) Michels of Plainfield. Three great-grandchildren, Caden and Collin Weller and Carson Michels. An honorary daughter Donna (Denny) Day of Jasper and a sister, Aralee Hiatt of Fairmount.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Kent Smith, brother, James Weaver, sister, Mary Helen Gray, and son-in-law, Joseph Baxter.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Armes-Hunt Fairmount Chapel 415 S Main St. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. until noon with a service celebrating Donna’s life at noon officiated by Reverend Greg Hiatt, Donna’s nephew. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grant Church, 11018 S 300 E, Fairmount, Indiana 46928.