Beverly Jean Smith, 77, of Enid, Oklahoma, and formerly of Ogden passed away after a 13-year battle against Alzheimer’s disease. She finally had enough of the confusion and pain and entered eternal life on Nov. 21, 2023.
Beverly was born Jan. 7, 1946, in Salina, Kansas, to James B. Shute and M. Odessa Shute (Southworth). She was the youngest of four children, Jessie, Margaret, David and Beverly.
She grew up poor in a dirt-floor farmhouse with no running water in Brookfield, Kansas, but with an abundance of love. She loved animals. She would ride horses for most of the hot summer days.
She and her sisters, Margaret and Jessie, would play house and school inside the grain bins when they were not filled with wheat. Margaret and Beverly would dress up their baby kittens in doll clothes and play for hours.
She graduated from Brookfield High School in 1964 and was the only girl in the class of seven students.
In March 1965 she gave the gift of her first-born daughter, Gina, to a childless couple. She knew she would not be able give her daughter the life she deserved because Beverly was unwed.
Later in life, Beverly was reunited with her daughter, and that was one of the happiest days of her life even if was only for eight years before Gina’s passing.
After graduation, Beverly attended the Brown Mac Business College and worked at Skelley truck stop as a server. There she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Smith, who was an over-the-road truck driver.
The two had dated for about eight weeks when Bill proposed. Beverly hopped on a New Year’s Eve bus to Chicago, and they were married on Jan. 15, 1966. The two of them had a large family of five children, Allen, Diana, Julie, Billi and Gib.
Together she and Bill worked hard and made sacrifices for their family. Beverly’s children always came first in her life, no matter what. She had three shirts and two pair of pants for several years, but made sure her children were fed, clean and dressed well.
They played sports, took dancing lessons — anything they wanted, she made sure it was provided. Being able to take care of her family was her proudest accomplishment of her life.
Beverly and Bill later divorced but remained companions who traveled together, loving each other even though they didn’t live together.
Beverly worked many jobs during her lifetime. Most years she worked two jobs and long hours. She worked at Iowa State University as a custodian before retiring in 2005. She loved working in the dormitory halls, especially the boys’ halls. She would bring them homemade cookies, cinnamon rolls and other goodies. They loved the way she took care of them and always loved it when she cleaned their floor. Beverly had a knack for cleaning.
It is said that you could eat off her floors and drink from the toilet. She had a 20-year-old refrigerator and stove that looked like they just came off the showroom floor. In her home there was never a dirty dish left in the sink or drainer. The laundry was always folded and put away before she went to bed.
She expected her children to follow the same rules and ran a tight ship. Sometimes her children would test her boundaries, and the result was always that Beverly won.
Beverly was a strong, independent woman who always honestly and candidly spoke her mind. She fiercely loved and fought for her family throughout her life.
When Beverly was diagnosed with the “disease from Hell” — Alzheimer’s — 13 years ago, she decided to go live with her daughter Diana in Enid, Oklahoma, in order to fight that battle, too. Her family is proud of her willpower and courage.
Beverly will be remembered for her selfless and caring spirit along with her ability to clean. Her family is sure that Beverly has Heaven sparkling clean and in pristine condition.
Beverly is reunited with William “Bill” Smith; her daughter, Gina Best; sons, Allen Smith and William “Gib” Smith; three granddaughters; her parents, James and Odessa; and her siblings, David and Jessie.
Beverly is survived by three daughters, Diana (James) Smith-Webb of Enid, Oklahoma, Julie (Thomas) Smith-Diggs of Enid, Oklahoma, and Billi Smith of Grand Junction, Iowa; grandchildren, Bridget (Nick) Best of Iola, Kansas, Brittany (Mark) Swank of Pittsburg, Kansas, Alex (Libby) Treft of Grand Junction, William (Michaela) Weiss of Enid, Samantha (Isidro) Smith-Gracia of Des Moines, Schuyler (Tama) Nail of Watertown, N.Y., Sealeana (Taylor) Smith of Scranton, Spencer Kirk, Slater Kirk and Scott O’Neal of Grand Junction; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-children; and one sister, Margaret Shamburg of Salina, Kansas.
The family would like to thank the following gracious people who have given care to Beverly over the years: Benigno Padron, Dawn King, Donna Price, Elara Caring Hospice and Home Health, St. Mary’s Wound Care Center and Dr. Rodger, all of Enid, Oklahoma.
For her final earthly resting place, Beverly will be buried in Ogden, Iowa, next to her sons, Allen and Gib, and beside Bill Smith. There will be a memorial in Iowa at a later date for the burial. The family is planning a celebration of life on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. at the World Harvest Church in Enid, Oklahoma. Family will be present from 1-2 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Disease research or another charity of your choice.
