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Helen Lucy (Stone) Smith
Helen Lucy (Stone) Smith

Obituary of Helen Lucy (Stone) Smith

Helen Lucy (Stone) Smith passed peacefully at the age of 95 in Pacific Grove, CA on Monday, December 20, 2021. Her life was full and blessed with a large family and many friends. She was born in Coffee County, Georgia to, Edwin and Minnie Stone in a small country farm house. Helen was the first born and was soon followed by four sisters and three brothers.

Typical for the times, she attended a one room school with mixed grades and was only able to attend school through the 8th grade. Helping with her siblings and farm chores, her schooling was set aside to help her family. But it was well known school was not her favorite activity. At age 13 she started working in town (Douglas, Georgia) at a drug store food counter and soda fountain.

In 1941, with the United States entering the war, life for Helen and her family grew difficult and she always appreciated the lessons learned through hardships like rationing and food shortages. At a young age of 14, Helen attended a barn dance and met a tall skinny 18-year-old young farm boy from nearby Willacoochee. This young boy, known as C.D., was Charles Dalton Smith who later became her husband. It was love at first sight, but they lived miles apart and rarely could visit due to work and lack of transportation. In 1944, with C.D. joining the United States Army, Helen and C.D. eloped. Helen and C.D. had little time together before he shipped out for training and then stationed overseas in the Philippines until the war ended. After Charles’s return to the States, he was transferred to Fort Ord and soon ended his military obligations.

Helen came to Monterey by taking the train from Georgia to join Charles. There were so many returning soldiers and housing was scarce. The young couple was lucky to find a bedroom to rent until they could save to find their own home. Helen often spoke of how she was welcomed into the community by many friendly local Sicilian families. She always remarked how there were parties, dances and celebrations with the returning GI’s and their wives. She forged many life-long friendships and always appreciated this friendly and special community. When her boys were growing-up she seemed to know everybody in town. All the mothers were turned into spies to help keep tabs on her boys.

After the children grew older, she worked for a few small businesses, and she and Charles operated a breakfast/lunch counter inside Grove Market where Charles was a grocer. One of her favorite jobs was working at the Holman’s Department Store in Pacific Grove. She enjoyed visiting friends, participating in a sewing club for over 30-years and dancing to big band sounds of the 40’s and 50’s. Helen is survived by her sister Frances (Stone) Carver, two sons Ed (Sharron) and Doug (Karena) and grandchildren Amy Baj (Chris), Peter Smith (Audrey) and Chelsea Lytle, along with three great grandchildren, Liam Smith, Hadley and Stella Baj. Helen was preceded in death by her late husband Charles Dalton Smith, and late husband Joseph Indorato, also her first born son Phillip Dalton Smith (1969 - Killed in action in the Vietnam war).

From a young age with influences from her family, Helen was secure in her relationship with Jesus Christ and belief in eternal life and God’s plan for her.

The family thanks the caring staff and friends at Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove. Helen spent 17-years as a resident of Canterbury Woods enjoying her senior years. The care and love for our mother was generous and kind throughout her residency until being called home. Helen Lucy (Stone) Smith 1926 - 2021

 

A gravesite memorial service will be held at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove on January 17, 2022 at 2:00pm

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Burial

El Carmelo Cemetery
68 Asilomar Avenue
Pacific Grove, California, United States