Shirley Roberta Smith, 92

Shirley Roberta Bolkcom Smith passed away at her home Jan. 6, 2024.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Westmond Cemetery.

She was born to Wayne and Roberta Bolkcom on Aug. 12, 1931, at Spirit Lake, Idaho. 

Shirley was the second-born child; she had an older brother, Milton, and two younger brothers, Bob and Clarence. She grew up in a tiny log house just south of Athol at Granite, Idaho. It was a bit crowded growing up in such a small house with three strapping, rowdy brothers. She also had two boy cousins living close by so she naturally became quite a tomboy. 

As a child she loved reading. She had her nose in a book every chance she got. She loved her brown-and-white dog, Biff. She always said that Biff helped her survive growing up. Shirley went to grade school in Granite, and high school in Sandpoint, Idaho, graduating in 1948.

Her tomboy years ended when she met a handsome soldier just home from WW2. The Smiths had moved from Washington to a farm at Kelso Lake. She heard that the soldier went swimming every night at Kelso Lake. She “just happened by” one fateful day and never looked back.

Shirley married her handsome soldier, Warren M. Smith, at the little Rock Church in Post Falls, Idaho, on June 6, 1948. She was just 16. She always added, “I was ALMOST 17!”

As a young married couple, they lived in a little log cabin that Warren built at Kelso Lake. They moved around some, going to southern Idaho for a few years, but ended up back in North Idaho, finally settling at Careywood, Idaho, where their children grew up.

Shirley enjoyed going to Ladies Club at the old Granite Schoolhouse with her friends and she liked playing pinochle. She also attended ladies Bible studies all her grown up years. Shirley was a very talented lady as a poet and an artist. Her oil paintings are beautiful. She also loved music. One of her favorite things was listening to her kids “play music.” 

Shirley had a deep faith in God which brought her through the many ups and downs life brings. 

Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved her children with all her heart. She made sure they attended Sunday School every Sunday at the little white church in Athol. 

She taught her children by her gentle words and example the important things in life, the most important being to make Jesus’ priority in their lives. 

Shirley was preceded in death by a baby son, Bart, in 1950; her husband, Warren, in 1988; her granddaughter, Winona, in 1995; her son, Mike, in 2011; her son, Alan, in 2019.

She is survived by her sons: Bert and Joe; daughters: Becky, Bette, Rita, and Ladonna; 12 of her 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. 

Philippians 4: 6-7:

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Family and friends are invited to sign Shirley’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.