Marjorie Bybee Smith

Marjorie (Marj) Bybee Smith passed away of natural causes on November 22, 2015 at the age of 93 at her home away from home in Lyman, Idaho. Marj was born April 16, 1922 to Esther (Andersen) and Blueford Bybee and grew up helping on the family farm. She went to Cedar Point Elementary and Madison High School and she enjoyed spending time with her sisters, brother and step-siblings. Marj loved to dance, especially with Ford Smith who was a handsome local boy who swept her off her feet and later made her his bride. With the onset of World War II, Marj moved with several other new brides to Lake Louise, Washington. Their cozy lakeside house was near Fort Lewis where their husbands were stationed for basic training prior to shipping out to their respective assignments. It would be two years before Marj and eighteen-month old Allason, who had been born several months after Ford deployed, would see him again. Following Ford’s return to the States, the family lived in Texas and California before returning to South East Idaho with an addition to the family, their son, Holly. Back in Rexburg, Marj enjoyed her many years working at the ASCS office which was just across the street from the courthouse where Ford served as the Sheriff. She never lost her love of dancing and when the Big Band era passed out of vogue, Marj turned her skills and limitless energy to country line dancing with her friends and granddaughters. Although Marj liked nothing better than to sit on her porch and visit with friends and family or to read the paper, she also loved to travel. After Ford passed away she continued their tradition of spending her winters in Indio, California. She also enjoyed many trips and cruises with family members and friends that took her around the world. Marj was active in the local VFW and Eagles civic organizations, and she was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Marj had an infectiously fun personality and a wry sense of humor. She was loved and will be missed by many including her daughter Allason and son Holly (Carol Rae), her grandchildren Beverly Hill van Joolen (Vincent), Jeffery Hill (Marla), Jaci Hill and Rebecca Smith Sok (Rom), her great- grandchildren Adam (Kristy), Nicholas (Candace), Skylar, Bronwyn, Alaire, Mekenzie, Kennedy, Cleo, Skyler, Lillian, and Monte Blue, and her great-great grandchildren Kiara, Joshua, Andrew, Raegan and Brynley – all of whom she loved deeply. Marj was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ford Smith and their cherished grandson, Nathan Smith, as well as her parents Blueford and Ester Bybee, her step-father Ray Bybee, her sisters Delpha and Bess, her brother Reese, and her step-siblings Walt, Garth, Dora Lee, and Elaine. Services will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015 with arrangements by Eckersell’s Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be held at Lyman 2nd Ward at 1952 West 6000 South, Rexburg, ID from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, and the service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Sutton Cemetery in Archer, Idaho. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations may be offered to either the Idaho Veterans of Foreign Wars (www.vfwidaho.org) or to the Hospice of Eastern Idaho (hospiceofeasternidaho.com). Also, the family deeply appreciates any thoughts and remembrances you may share with them on her guest register at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.