A life well-lived……………..
Clarice Mae Smith passed away on August 25, 2025 at her home near
Confidence, at the age of 95. She was born at Yocum Hospital in Chariton,
Iowa on April 12,1930 to Allen and Lela Dixon and was later joined by sister
Emma Lee. She attended Victory Country School through 8th grade and
Russell High School through 10th grade where she met the love of her life.
Clarice graduated from Corydon High School in 1948. She often spoke
fondly of her childhood and what a wonderful life she had.
Clarice was a farm girl at heart and always loved working outside both as a
child and as an adult. She was taught at an early age how to work hard and
reap the benefits. She told many stories about working with her Dad, such
as driving a tractor at 8 years old to harvest oats that earned her a new
bicycle. Clarice even mowed her own yard up until the age of 90, and lived
in the family home for 70 years up until her passing.
After graduation, Clarice worked from 1948 to 1952 at National Bank and
Trust in Chariton Iowa where she met several life-long friends. She married
the love of her life, Paul Howard Smith, on June 8, 1952 at the Russell
Baptist Church, the same church she attended and was baptized in. They
spent the first 6 months of their married life in Michigan while Paul worked
for John Morrell. Clarice affectionately called this their long honeymoon.
They made their first home in Red Oak on 410 Joy Street, an address she
would never forget. In Red Oak, Clarice worked for Thomas D. Murphy
Company as a secretary. They eventually moved to Des Moines following
Paul’s job. When health problems plagued Clarice’s father, Paul was asked
to join the farming operation. They moved to Clarice’s grandparent’s house
and lived there together for 63 years,raising their children Greg and Dixie,
loving the land and their life together. Clarice was a master of the kitchen
and the vegetable garden. She loved growing flowers, especially iris and
gladiolus. She was a classy dresser and had a love for shoes. We often
wondered how many pairs she really owned! She was dedicated to her
church and served many positions there including Sunday School and Bible
School teacher. She was an integral part of her granddaughter’s lives and
was so proud of their accomplishments. Her great grandchildren brought
her much joy when they came to visit. She was most proud of her family,
modest of her contributions and strong in her convictions. “Precious in the
eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints”. Psalm 116:15. We celebrate
her deep faith in God, love of family and her strength.
Clarice is survived by her children, Gregory (Catherine) Smith, Dixie (Dave)
Daughton; grandchildren Ginger Morrison, Amber Rodgers, Julie (Nick)
Kazanowski, and Sabrina Smith; great grandchildren Donald, Dagny and
Lela Morrison, Alley Josephine and Lennox Rodgers, Goldie, Gus, and
Birdie Kazanowski; sister Emma(Max) Warrick, nephews Jeff(Kathy)
Warrick, Bob(Cindy) Smith, Michael Danner, nieces Angie Masterson,
Rhonda Smith and several great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Smith, her parents Allen
and Lela Dixon, niece Peggy Payne, brothers-in-law Eugene Smith and
David Danner, and sister-in-law Alene Force.
Funeral services will be held on August 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Fielding
Funeral Home in Chariton with interment at the Confidence Cemetery.
Visitation will be at 12:30 PM, prior to the funeral service. Memorials can be made to the New
Providence Baptist Church
