Obituary of LaVerne Smith
LaVerne Smith passed away on 3/15/20 in Salem Oregon at the age of 95.
Her great grandparents came to the Northwest on a wagon train around 1852. Her parents, Wayne and Lavina Hoskins owned a ranch and grew wheat near Dayton, Washington. She was very proud to be a part owner in the family ranch.
LaVerne went to grade school in a one room school building. She graduated high school, went to beauty college, and ran her own beauty shop in Dayton Washington. She went to college and became a home economics teacher. It was during this time she met and married William Smith who was an army recruiter. As a military wife she traveled to Germany, Texas, Massachusetts, the Mohave Desert, Washington, and Oregon. Bill and LaVerne were married 64 years.
LaVerne enjoyed being a wife and mother, taught high school students as a substitute teacher, was on a bowling team, enjoyed ceramics, and painting fabrics as well as attending many Jaquar car club events. She was an excellent seamstress sewing lovely outfits for family members. She also was an enthusiastic doll collector. A superb cook and baker, LaVerne's homemade orange bowknots, homemade cinnamon pecan rolls, and her homemade cakes were unforgettable. Whenever you came to her house, she’d ask if you were hungry and would whip up some comfort food including cookies for her grandchildren.
In her later years she’d express gratitude for the smallest of things, whether it was a sunny day, an ice cream cone, or a simple chicken sandwich. She was a strong person with “true grit." Many people told her when she broke her ankle a year and a half ago that she’d never walk. She did learn to walk with assistance, but later got pneumonia.
LaVerne is survived by her loving husband, William Smith; her children Sherri Devlin (Mike), her son Terry Smith; her grandchildren Rachel Hay (Graham), Tim Devlin, and Joe Devlin; her great grandchildren Luke, Allen, Harrison; and her brother Dr. Blaine Hoskins (Nancy).
She preceded in death by her son William Smith, her brother Dr. Wesley Hoskins, and her parents Lavina and Wayne Hoskins.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LaVerne Smith, please visit Tribute Store
Crown Memorial Centers specialize in Oregon Funeral, Burial, Cremation, Memorial Planning, Services and Arrangements
Serving Portland and Metropolitan communities including: Aloha, Aurora, Beavercreek, Beaverton, Boring, Canby, Clackamas, Donald, Downtown Portland, Eagle Creek, Estacada, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Hubbard, King City, Lake Oswego, McMinnville, Milwaukie, Molalla, Mt. Angel, Mulino, Newberg, Oregon City, Sandy, Sherwood, Silverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Vancouver WA, West Linn, Wilsonville and Woodburn.
In Salem and surrounding communities of: Albany, Brooks, Corvallis, Dallas, Detroit, Gervais, Independence, Jefferson, Keizer, Lebanon, Mill City, Monmouth, Scio, Stayton, Sublimity and Sweet Home.
