Ethel M. Smith, 89, formerly of Cherry Tree and recently of Monroeville, passed away at Juniper Village of Monroeville on January 9, 2024. She was born February 11, 1934, the daughter of Andrew and Ruth (Guisler) Clapper, in Irwin, PA, one of a set of twins.
She graduated from Clairton High School and attended Roberts Wesleyan College in N. Chili, New York until 1954 when she married Dalvin Jay Smith, her husband of 62 years.
She was the beloved mother of Dawn McCleery (Bob) of Delaware, Ohio; Brian (Julie) of Black Mountain, N.C.; Valerie Downey (Chris) of Albia, Iowa; and Cynthia Delmanto (Bob) of Monroeville, PA. She was the grandmother of Maureen McCleery, Lydia Downey Bembnister (Kyle), Richard Downey (Alexi), James Downey (Joy), and Noah Downey (Allie). She was great-grandmother to Elijah, Israel, Gideon, Amelia Mae, Shiloh Anne, Jonah, Bryce, Roy, Kaylee, and Christopher Downey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dalvin, and her twin sister Edith Clapper.
She is also survived by a sister, Esther Smith, and a sister-in-law Mary Ellen Emerick.
She most recently attended the Monroeville Community Church with Bob and Cindy and had been a member of the Kenwood Nazarene Church of Indiana County. Before that, she was a member of the Alexandria Free Methodist Church in Virginia where she taught Sunday School to teens and was their Bible Quiz Team Leader. She was also a member of the Penn Hills Free Methodist Church teaching teens and was director of the puppet team.
She loved to read, occasionally reading nearly 20 books in a month. Ethel also enjoyed sewing, watching Wheel of Fortune and movies on the Hallmark Channel, and she wrote thousands of cards and letters to many recipients over the years as well as writing in her daily journal.
Ethel will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, and many who were blessed to know her. She loved the Lord and is now celebrating with all of her loved ones in His presence.
Friends will be received Monday, January 15th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory of Indiana, 965 Philadelphia St. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM Tuesday morning at the funeral home. Rev. Bill Degenkolb officiating. Burial will follow at the Pineland Cemetery, Strongstown.
Online condolences may be made by visiting: rbfh.net .
