Lael Rae Smith

Lael Smith, age 87, Clark, died Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Avantara Clark.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Lael Rae Murphy Smith was born on March 18, 1933, to Ray Earl Murphy and Bessie B. Wilkey in Clark, SD. She graduated from Clark High School in 1951. On May 27, 1951, she married Donald MacCaughey Smith. They moved to a farm at Elrod where they became parents to five children. In 1970, Lael and Don divorced.

Lael enjoyed reading, quilting, traveling, sewing and singing. She was an active lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and a long time member of the quilting group, "God's Piece Makers." She also belonged to the Clark Historical Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. For about twenty years, every winter she volunteered at McCurdy School in Espanola, NM.

Her greatest joys in life were spending time with her children, grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. We all knew of the love and pride she had for her family.

Surviving Lael are four sons and one daughter, Earl (Darla) Smith of Battle Ground, WA, Joan (Lyle Crabtree) Olson of Edgemont, Elden (Dinah) Smith of Hereford, AZ, Neil (Dana) Smith of Mountain Home, AR and Marshall (Shirley) Smith of Clark; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Clark United Methodist Church.

Furness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com .