My Wonderful Grandma, Julia Smith... The "Sunshine in my Soul"...

The sun was shining, the sky was blue, Spring had finally arrived. It was a good day to go home........ On April 18, 2008 Julia Anna Holmes Smith peacefully slipped through tears of sorrow and the loving arms of her dear husband, children, grandchildren and friends and was met through tears of joy into the arms of many family, friends and loved ones that longed for her return. Her passing was the result of a recently diagnosed disease known as Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Julia was born July 19, 1933 in Liberty Utah to Sarah Ann Chard Holmes and Robert F Holmes. She had many fond memories of growing up in “The Valley”. Having been born into a large family, there was never the lack of adventure, hard work and fun. She had 6 sisters and 6 brothers. When she spoke about her family, she always included herself as “one of the boys”. She loved the outdoors and would rather be helping her father with farming chores than being stuck indoors doing “girl” things.

Julia made her home in Lehi after marrying Richard Maxfield Smith in the Salt Lake Temple on November 19, 1954. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was a true friend in every sense of the word. Anyone who knew Julia could depend on her for anything including a hot meal, a loaf of bread, a good laugh, a kind deed, a heartfelt hug, the “remedy” or free veterinary services. You felt like you were the most important person to Julia, even if you had just met her.

Julia was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in many callings from Relief Society President to Nursery Leader. For the last several years she and Richard have enjoyed doing extraction work together in their home. She was a great example of charity, service and faith to her family. She set the standard high and it is now up to those of us left behind to follow her example.

She is survived by her husband of Lehi; three sons and one daughter, Shane (Collette) Smith, Perry (Greta) Smith, of Lehi; Cody (Shelly) Smith, Alpine; Angie (Brandon) Gerber, Highland; daughter-in-law, Cindy (Sherm) Gallagher, West Jordan; 17 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers and 3 sisters, Avon (Cheryl) Holmes, Clifford (Renee) Holmes, Liberty, UT; Carl (Penny) Holmes, Richfield; Cleo (Lee) Painter, Plain City, UT; Reta Stanley, St. John, AZ; Shyrel (Bob) Roberts, Huntsville. She was preceded in death by a son, Stacy J. Smith and granddaughter, Sierra Smith.

Funeral services and viewings will be held at the Lehi West Stake Center, 1920 N. 500 W. Friends and family may call at the church Tuesday evening, April 22nd from 6-8 p.m. and also Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. April 23rd. Interment, Lehi City Cemetery. Online guestbook at wingmortuary.com.