SMITH
PAXTON — While we mourn the passing of Wilma Smith (aka Nana), Jesus is welcoming her with open arms! She performed what seemed like magic to all of us as she warmed our hearts, our ears and our taste buds!
While she gave of her heart endlessly, her first heart beat was in 1933 in the small town of Humboldt, Ill., as Nancy Anna Ridgeway Brown, her mother, gave birth to her along with another heart beat, her twin broth- er, Bill (Virgie Brown of Mattoon survives), and that close bond never ended. In addition to her father, Orville Brown, she had six siblings — Don, Unadine, Pauline, Orville Jr., Burnett and Martha — waiting at home for their arrival.
At age 6, God blessed her with the ability to play the piano … by ear! While she never read music, she blessed everyone with her razzle-dazzle style, including the Church of Christ in Paxton, where she had been a member for 70 years, and blessed the congregation up until her passing at 91 years of youth! Her style and natural ability to “jazz it up” became just one of her many talents the community cherished over the years.
Wilma met her husband, Harold Gibson, at the USO Club at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. They wed on May 8, 1954, and were married for 50 years. They became the parents of Nancy (Mike and Nancy Krumwiede of Paxton) and Stan (Stan and Sharon Gibson of Placida, Fla). Wilma and Harold moved in 1961 from Rantoul to Paxton, where they established roots and deep friendships for over 70 years!
Wilma became a local fashion icon as she and her husband owned and operated both Laybourn’s Apparel (for 54 years) and Fashion Fair (for 25 years) in Paxton. Her sense of style and flair became known throughout eastern Illinois as she not only served local farming communities with the latest fashions but also repeat customers from near and far. She did it with class and service, delighting her customers and making holidays effortless for everyone!
Wilma also gave her heart to the community. While serving on the chamber of commerce and many boards, she was also blessed with over 58 years of deep friendships with the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was Past Worthy Matron of Prospect Chapter 367 of the Order of Eastern Star.
After the passing of Harold in 2004, Wilma met and married the second love of her life, John “Jack” Smith of Clarence in 2008, and they immediately knew they wanted each other in their lives. They were happily married for 15 years and loved serving the community, where together they were awarded the Golden Deeds Award in 2015.
In addition to being blessed to have Jack in her life until his passing on March 6, 2024, she was equally excited to add a stepdaughter, Angie (Angie and Roger Marsh of Champaign), and a stepson, Brian (Brian and Sandy Smith of Lake Geneva, Wis).
Nana’s heart was also filled with the love for her four grandchildren: Brian (Brian Krumwiede and Melissa) of Paxton, Drew (Drew and Shelley Krumwiede) of Paxton), Kadi (Kadi and Eric Shultz of Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Madi (Madi and Greg Thompson of Champaign). This also added five step granddaughters, four great-grandchildren and four great-step-grandchildren.
And, oh yeah … as for those taste buds! While Nana filled everyone’s heart and ears with her God-given piano talents, her flair for the kitchen and especially her pies became the entree everyone talked about in the community. Whether it was her coconut cream, lemon meringue, fruit or pumpkin pies, her best ingredient was her love as she filled everyone’s hearts and tummies!
While we mourn this wonderful lady’s passing, we will choose to remember that she LIVED and she LOVED as she touched our hearts, ears and tummies in a way that no one else could!
A heartfelt thank you to Hollybrook Assisted Living in Rantoul, where Wilma had lived the last 1 ½ years, and Transitions Hospice, Jules and all the other wonderful nurses and caregivers. You all made life so much better for her!
Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Church of Christ in Paxton. Her funeral was at 2 p m. Sunday, June 8, at the Church of Christ with graveside services following at Glen Cemetery in Paxton. Dinner followed. The family was assisted by Baier Family Funeral Services of Paxton.
Memorials can be made to the Church of Christ in Paxton or Transitions Hospice.