Obituary of Grace Naomi Smith

Grace Naomi Smith, 85, of Columbia, PA, formerly of the Manheim area, passed from this life on Thursday afternoon, April 5, 2012, at Susquehanna Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Columbia, PA, surrounded by her loving family. She has gone home to be with her Lord whom she had served for many years. Born in Lancaster, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clayton E. and Anna Martin Myer. She was the wife of the late Henry S. Smith, who died in 2008. Naomi was a member of Chiques Church of the Brethren in Manheim where she served with her husband in the ministry of deacon and taught Sunday school in the past. In her earlier years, she sang in choral groups of both the Chiques and White Oak Churches of the Brethren. Naomi was a serious student of the Bible and had a very intense prayer life. She had the gift of evangelism, guiding many souls to the Lord and often giving spiritual counsel to others. In addition to helping her husband on their family farm in Mastersonville, she performed domestic duties for the Fred Homberger and Richard Violette families and for Reynold Koppel. She also was employed in food service for the Manheim Auto Auction and worked as a retail clerk for the former Watt and Shand department store in Lancaster. She is survived by five children, Anna Mary, wife of Richard Thompson, of Leola, PA, Henry C. Smith of Rockford, IL, John D. Smith of Millersville, PA, James C. Smith of Mount Joy, PA, and Esther M., wife of Edward A. Keyser, of Mount Joy; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and one sister, Eva R. Martin of New Holland, PA. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren; one great grandson; and five siblings, Stanley L. Myer, Lloyd M. Myer, Clair P. Myer, Mary M. Wenger, and Martha M. Williams. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday morning, April 10, 2012, at 11:00 am at Chiques Church of the Brethren, 4045 Sunnyside Road, Manheim, PA 17545 with Ron Strickler and Nathan Myer officiating. Interment will follow in Mastersonville Cemetery. The family will receive guests at the church on Monday evening from 6-8:00 pm and on Tuesday morning from 10:00 am until the time of the service. If desired, contributions may be made in her memory to the benevolent fund of Chiques Church of the Brethren. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.