Shirley Louise Smith

Shirley Louise Baker Smith was born on September 12, 1929, in Akron, Ohio. She was the beloved daughter of Jack L. Baker and Enessa Briney. Her older brother Jackie died when he was an infant before she was born. She had two younger brothers, Sydney and Richard.

She lived in Cuyahoga Falls and Cleveland as a child and graduated from Falls High. A member of the Falls First Methodist Church for decades she began singing with the choir when very little until she graduated from high school. Shirley was a fashion model for some of the local department stores. She attended Kent State University for two years and became a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority.

She married Glenn Smith on Sept 3, 1950. While Glenn served in the Korean war, Shirley took care of her two daughters, Robin and Michele, and worked at First National Bank. After his return from the war, they had 3 more children, Mark, Kari, and Todd.

Despite her large family, Shirley was always very active in the community. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and, with other women, started the YWCA in Tallmadge, Ohio.

In 1959, the family moved to Bountiful, Utah for Glenn’s career. Shirley fell in love with the West. She and her family explored that part of the country on many vacations, traveling to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Yellowstone. They went on camping trips and took advantage of the skiing in the area.  She and Glenn led a high school group for the Bountiful Community Church which they attended. 

A stalwart Girl Scout supporter, she became the Public Relations Chair of the Utah & Eastern Nevada Girl Scout Council. During her time with the Scouts, they celebrated their 50^th Anniversary. Girls from across the state rode a special train from Ogden to Promontory Point, Utah (the connecting point of the Trans-Continental Railroad). The Girl Scouts also supported Lady Bird Johnson’s efforts to Beautify America by planting trees across Utah. For several years each spring and fall the family helped open and close Camp Cloud Rim in Park City, Utah which was always a special occasion.

Of course, Shirley was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for many years. Her troop took horseback riding lessons, camped in Grand Teton National Park by Jenny Lake, Wyoming, and explored many opportunities in the Salt Lake area. She also became a Cub-Scout leader when her sons joined the Boy Scouts.

Her life in the west was a treasured time for Shirley which she continued to enjoy by spending many winter vacations in Palm Desert.

In 1966 the family returned to Tallmadge, Ohio. Shirley went to work for the Western Reserve Girl Scout Council, where she rose to become the Public Relations Director followed by a position in the Economic Education section of the Department of Education at the University of Akron retiring during the 1980s. She was a member of the Akron Women’s City Club helping to host events and arrange meetings. A long-time member the Alpha Phi Sorority, she became a volunteer counselor serving the Akron University Campus.

Shirley and Glenn were devoted grandparents to their 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, attending as many activities as possible. She was always the go-to person for high-school gatherings, class luncheons, friends who needed assistance, golf club outings, as well as her incessant contributions, care, and support of her immediate and extended family. Our hearts are broken and she will be sorely missed for her gracious, generous spirit, and lovely demeanor.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, and grandchild Morgan Smith.

She leaves behind the families of Robin Smith of Anchorage, AK; Michele Smith of Brooklyn, NY; Mark Smith of Doylestown, OH, Kari McDonald of North Brunswick, NJ; and Todd Smith of Santa Fe, NM.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a memorial visitation at the Clifford Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221, from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday December 1, 2022. On Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11am there will be a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church, 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.