Rae Ellen Barney Smith

Rae Ellen Smith passed away at her home in East Millcreek on April 22, 2016 following a brief illness.  Rae Ellen was born to Archie Fay Barney and Ellen Livonia Adams on October 4, 1921 in Ithaca, New York where her father was pursuing a graduate degree at Cornell University.  Upon completion of this effort, her family returned to Utah and eventually resided in the Highland Park area of Salt Lake City where she attended area schools, graduating from South High School in 1939.  She later attended the University of Utah where she studied art and landscape painting from LeConte Stewart and other capable instructors.  During this time she met the love of her life and eternal companion, Robert Farr Smith.  Bob and Ellen were married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on January 6, 1944, just before her new husband joined the United States Navy and shipped overseas to serve his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.  Following his safe return at the end of the War, Ellen and Bob raised a family of four children, eventually constructing a home in the East Millcreek area where they resided in love together for 45 years.  Rae Ellen was an accomplished artist with an eye toward the color and composition of varied landscape and nature scenes in which she delighted.  She loved her family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the dearest of all things to her.  This good woman will be greatly missed by all who loved her.  

She is survived by three of her children:  Georgia Ann Hippen (Jim), Robin Stuart Smith (Martine), Sheri Lyn Smith and a daughter-in-law (Frances Hinckley), 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.  The last of her generation, Rae Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, all of her siblings and their spouses, a son (Stephen Barney Smith), two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  The family is grateful to the staff of CareSource Hospice for their thoughtful kindness and care during her final illness. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the East Millcreek 11th Ward, 2702 E. Evergreen Avenue (3450 South), where friends may visit with the family at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the services.  Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 N. “N” Street.  Messages to the family may be made at www.HolbrookMortuary.com.