Helen Marie Smith, age 72, of Odon, Indiana, went to Heaven, with her family by her side, on Monday, October 30, 2023 at her home. She was born on July 12, 1951 in Washington, Indiana to Freidman and Leona (Eck) Potts. Helen married her high school sweetheart, whom she loved dearly, Randy Smith, on July 4, 1970. They liked going out west, horseback riding, mushroom hunting, and raising their three kids. They were married 21 years at the time of his passing in 1991.
Helen was a member of Pleasant Hill Community Church, Iota Rho Chapter of Psi Iota Xi, Women’s Auxiliary of VFW Post #9627. She graduated in 1969 – the first graduating class of North Daviess High School. She cherished her lifelong friendships with classmates. Helen retired from NSWC Crane on September 29, 2014 after 36 years of service to the Army and Navy. She was the first female forklift operator at Crane. During her time there she was a clerk typist, warehouse worker, transportation assistant, storage specialist and Logistician. Helen had many hobbies including: Sudoku and Crossword Puzzles; mowing her yard; watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Soap Operas, and Hallmark Movies, reading, vacationing out West and playing Bingo.
Her favorite thing in life was spending time with family, especially her grandkids. She loved for them to get off the bus at her house and had snacks ready when they arrived. She enjoyed taking them on specialized outings, watching them play sports, making Christmas cookies, and making holidays extra special. She still hid baskets for her kids and grandkids and others at Easter; she always bought each individual a special ornament at Christmas. Helen loved cooking meals – some of her specialties were cinnamon toast, french toast, fried rice, tamali pie, roast with taters and carrots, microwave peach cobbler, strawberry pie, and loaded baked potatoes. She enjoyed sleepovers with the grandkids and saying their prayers. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I praise the lord my soul to keep, if I shall die before I wake, take my soul, my soul to take and keep; as Angels watch me through the night and wake me in the morning light. In Jesus name we Pray – AMEN!”
Family left to cherish the wonderful memories of Helen include: her children, Jamie (Anthony) Wagler of Odon, Summer (Dallas) Smith of Birdseye and John (Tara) Smith of Odon; grandkids, Sabra, Emma, Gabey, Atyse, Dane, Jax, Gunnar, Hadlee, Marisa, Kayson, and Avaya; sisters, Sharon (Steve) Green, Margaret (Walt) Waggoner and Mary (Tony) Riggins; sister-in-laws, Linda Smith, Linda Potts and Nancy (Gary) Tarter; brothers: Gary (Kathy) Potts and Richard (Carol) Potts; her cats, Daisee and Buttercup; several loved nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Randy; brothers, Lonnie Potts and Fred Potts; sister-in-laws, Janet Potts and Mary Kay Meadows; brother-in-law, Dave Smith; mother-in-law, Jewel and father-in-law, Walt Dunham; father-in-law, John Smith and nephew, Gart Salmon.
Funeral services to honor the life of Helen will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon with Brenden Dyer officiating. Helen will be laid to rest in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Odon.
Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, November 3 and from 11:00 AM until the time of service at 1:00 PM on Saturday at the funeral home.
Arrangements and care were entrusted to Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.mengfuneralhome.com.
